m 


SAM  SHIRK: 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE. 


GEOKQE  H.  DEYEKEUX. 


..-, 


NEW    YORK: 
PUBLISHED   BY   KURD   AND   HOUGHTON. 


1871. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1870,  by 

GEORGE  H.  DEVEREUX, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


RIVERSIDE,  CAMBRIDGE  : 

STEEEOTTPED    AND    PRINTED    BT 

H.   0.    HOTJGHTON   AND   COMPANY. 


PEEFAOE 


THIS  volume  is  a  simple  outgrowth  of  the  expe- 
rience of  ten  years  of  my  own  life.  In  early  man- 
hood, circumstances  led  me  into  the  very  bosom  of 
such  scenes  as  are  here  described.  Their  novelty,  as 
well  as  their  peculiar  and  intrinsic  interest,  made  a 
strong  impression  upon  my  mind.  I  was  irresistibly 
led,  from  time  to  time,  to  make  disjointed  sketches  of 
incidents  that  were  to  me  full  of  curiosity  and  in- 
struction.. Long  after  my  return  to  a  very  different 
physical  and  social  sphere,  these  fragments  of  an  era 
in  my  existence  —  pleasant  while  it  was  passing,  and 
agreeable  to  remember  —  acquired  a  new  value  to 
my  feelings.  I  felt  an  inclination  to  connect  them  to- 
gether in  a  symmetrical  shape,  as  a  child  strings  its 
treasured  beads  upon  a  thread. 

I  now  place  it  before  the  public,  —  hoping  it  may 
afford  some  instruction  and  pleasure  to  others  ;  as  the 
real  life,  of  which  it  is  intended  to  be  a  picture,  did, 
in  a  large  measure,  to  myself. 

As  to  the  execution  of  the  work,  the  only  thing 
which  it  becomes  me  to  say  is,  that  it  has  been  made 

2063467 


2  SAM  SHI11K: 

The  natural  features  of  the  State  are  romantic  and 
interesting  beyond  most  regions  not  strictly  Alpine ; 
and  its  remoter  sections  abound  in  the  rough  grandeur 
of  mountain  scenery.  Long  granitic  headlands  run 
out  from  every  part  of  the  coast  far  into  the  ocean, 
forming,  between  their  huge  projecting  masses,  shel- 
tered harbors,  broad  bays,  and  the  spreading  estuaries 
of  numerous  streams.  Beyond  the  beetling  cliffs  and 
shingly  beaches  that  terminate  the  wild  and  rocky 
promontories,  the  jagged  coast  is  belted  often  to  sea- 
ward by  islands  shaggy  with  precipices,  and  nodding 
with  dark  forests  of  gnarled  spruces,  bearing,  in  their 
bent  and  twisted  trunks  and  broken  tops,  frequent 
marks  of  their  severe  struggles  with  the  ocean  storms. 
Black  and  threatening  ledges  peer  out  among  the  wa- 
ters, where  the  surges  break  incessantly,  and  wild  sea- 
birds  flit  and  scream  amid  the  uproar  of  the  waves  and 
winds.  Upon  these  shores  there  dwells  a  population 
appropriate  to  sucli  a  home,  —  sturdy,  rough,  adven- 
turous, winning  fearlessly  from  the  ocean  the  supply 
of  those  moderate  wants  which  the  rough  and  difficult 
soil  but  scantily  provides  for.  The  white  sails  of  fish- 
ing boats,  coasting  craft,  and  freighting  vessels  of  larger 
size,  enliven  the  inland  bays  and  coves,  or  spread  their 
wings  in  the  offing,  upon  errands  that  take  them  over 
every  part  of  the  inhabited  globe. 

The  northern  portion  of  the  State  lies  still  in  un- 
broken forests,  whose  solitudes  are  uninterrupted,  ex- 
cept by  the  hunter  and  the  lumberman,  and  which  bury 
the  land,  to  the  rivers  and  lakes  of  Canada,  in  the 
deep  shadow  of  a  primeval  vegetation.  Below  this  re- 
gion is  a  gradually  shaded  belt  of  human  life,  exhibiting 
successively  every  varying  degree  of  refinement  of 
which  civilized  existence  is  capable,  from  the  sturdy 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  3 

backwoodsman,  scarcely  conscious  of  the  existence  of 
books,  newspapers,  or  any  of  the  wants  of  advanced 
communities,  and  perfectly  content  to  find  all  that  he 
needs  in  the  forest  which  is  his  home,  down  to  the 
wealthy  and  luxurious  dwellers  in  the  maritime  cities. 

This  population  is  spread  out,  from  the  rude  log- 
huts  nestled  among  the  pines  and  beeches,  through 
the  little  villages  clustered  around  the  cross-roads  or 
the  water-falls  and  saw-mills,  down  to  the  thriving 
towns  and  busy  sea-ports.  Every  hour's  ride  changes 
its  peculiarities  with  the  equally  changing  aspects  of 
art  and  nature  with  which  it  is  surrounded. 

Thus  the  traveller  may  start  in  the  morning  from 
the  wooded  inland  hills,  where  the  deer  and  the  par- 
tridge, the  bear  and  the  wolf,  still  keep  their  native 
home,  and,  passing  through  every  successive  phase  of 
civilization,  sleep  at  night  within  hearing  of  the  roar 
of  the  Atlantic,  where  daily  reports  from  London  and 
Paris  feed  the  restless  curiosity  and  minister  to  the  ar- 
tificial habits  of  wealth  and  worldliness. 

All  along  the  path,  from  the  mysterious  solitudes, 
still  wrapt  in  the  solemn  quiet  of  undisturbed  nature, 
to  cities  neither  ignorant  of  the  forms  nor  innocent  of 
the  follies  and  vices  of  the  highest  refinement,  the  eye 
rests  upon  huge  hills  and  elevated  ridges,  intersected 
with  deep  and  sheltered  valleys,  along  which  clear  and 
rapid  streams  roll  and  tumble  over  the  broken  sur- 
faces, and  among  which  countless  bright  and  wood- 
bordered  lakes  spread  out  their  broad,  sunny  bosoms. 
The  blue  tops  of  distant  mountains  and  the  dark-green 
curtains  of  yet  unmolested  woodlands  form  the  bor- 
ders of  the  varied  picture. 

Here  the  sportsman  may  still  find  the  moose,  bear, 
red  deer,  wolf,  fox,  and  partridge  in  the  woods,  and 


4  SAM  SHIRK: 

the  delicious  trout  in  the  brooks.  Here  the  natural- 
ist has  an  unexplored  field  of  discovery,  where  objects 
of  curiosity  and  interest  will  reward  his  search  ;  and 
the  mere  idler  will  see  novel  and  picturesque  scenes 
of  the  animate  and  material  world,  to  refresh  his  spirits 
and  stimulate  his  intellect. 

In  the  eastern  section  of  this  State,  there  lies,  upon 
the  little  river  Narraguagus,  a  village  whose  reality 
we  will  thinly  disguise  under  the  name  of  Merrifield. 
At  the  present  time,  the  neat  dwellings  of  nearly  three 
thousand  inhabitants  extend,  for  a  mile  or  more,  on 
either  side  of  the  stream.  But,  at  the  time  occupied 
by  our  story,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century,  it 
was  a  rude  hamlet,  but  just  redeemed  from  the  closely 
surrounding  forest. 

The  enterprise  of  the  early  settlers  of  Massachusetts 
soon  explored  the  extended  coast  of  the  then  depend- 
ent Province  of  Maine,  and  made  settlements,  both 
temporary  and  permanent,  in  favorable  situations 
within  its  borders.  But  the  disputes  as  to  proprie- 
torship among  the  English  themselves,  combined  with 
its  remoteness  from  the  Bay  Colony  and  the  vicinity 
of  enemies  or  doubtful  friends,  rendered  the  increase  of 
population  slow.  Especially  did  these  circumstances 
retard  the  settlement  of  the  country  east  of  the  Penob- 
scot  River,  to  the  sovereignty  of  which  France  long 
maintained  pretensions.  At  the  date  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, the  English  establishments  in  this  quarter  were 
insignificant  and  recent.  Here  and  there  a  straggling 
village  —  Merrifield  among  the  rest  —  began  to  dis- 
place the  wilderness,  where  some  peculiar  facilities  for 
fishing  or  Hmbering  invited  immigration.  The  roads 
between  these  infant  settlements  were  mere  paths 
through  the  forest.  Even  now  they  are  confined,  in 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  5 

the  eastern  district,  within  a  zone  of  twenty  or  thirty 
miles  from  the  sea-board.  These  little  communities 
were  very  much  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world, 
their  chief  intercourse  with  which  was  maintained  by 
trading  voyages  of  small  coasting  craft.  The  forest, 
with  its  indigenous  inhabitants,  pressed  closely  around 
them.  The  remnants  of  the  native  tribes  still  roamed 
in  the  woods ;  and  straggling  parties  of  Canadian  In- 
dians occasionally  prolonged  the  open  hostilities  of  an 
earlier  day,  by  stealthy  incursions  for  petty  plundering. 
The  security  and  comforts  of  advanced  stages  of  soci- 
ety were  yet  imperfectly  known  ;  they  were,  indeed, 
scarcely  thought  of  by  a  population  which  had  very 
little  practical  knowledge  of  their  advantages. 

This  little  village  of  Merrifield  was  possessed  of  one 
of  those  vagabond  characters  not  uncommon  in  new 
places,  where  society  is  composed  of  odds  and  ends  of 
all  sorts,  not  yet  consolidated  into  symmetrical  order  — 
a  sort  of  human  waif,  owning  nothing  and  belonging 
to  nobody,  half-way  between  a  public  nuisance  and  a 
public  necessity.  Sam  Shirk  was  as  familiar  as  day- 
light to  all  Merrifield;  and  there  was  no  person  or 
thing  in  the  village  that  was  not  equally  well  known 
to  him. 

His  father  had  been  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  tree  in 
the  "  logging  swamp,"  and  left  his  well-disposed,  but 
weak-minded  widow  to  get  along  in  the  world  as  she 
could,  with  her  orphaned  boy.  The  rough  but  cordial 
pity  of  the  neighbors  supplied  her,  from  their  rude 
abundance,  with  food  sufficient ;  and  she  did  what  she 
could,  in  a  place  where  everybody  did  their  own 
work,  to  find  clothing  and  other  comforts  for  herself 
,and  child.  A  bushel  of  potatoes  or  corn  was  seldom 
grudged  to  the  mute  eloquence  of  her  pale  and  dis- 


6  SAM  SHIRK: 

consolate  face  by  most  of  the  villagers,  who,  though 
not  burdened  with  superfluities,  had  an  abundance  of 
such  articles  as  they  professed  to  have  at  all.  Yet 
there  were  many  gaps,  in  the  economy  of  the  little 
household,  that  were  hard  for  the  lone  woman  to  fill. 
What  activity  and  energy  nature  had  bestowed  upon 
her,  were  insufficient  for  the  cheerless  struggle  of  a 
broken  life.  The  poor  mother  gradually  wore  out,  in 
the  anxious  but  feeble  endeavor  to  cope  with  the  dif- 
ficulties that  crushed  her  yielding  spirit.  Her  neigh- 
bors buried  her  decently ;  and  the  often  repeated 
remark,  that  "  Miss  Shirk  hadn't  much  sprawl,  and 
wasn't  good  for  nothing  at  all,  after  her  husband  died," 
epitomized  the  history  of  her  sad  and  humble  existence. 

So  little  Sam  was  left,  at  ten  years  old,  alone  in  the 
world  ;  for  his  parents  had  immigrated  from  a  distant 
place,  and  what  relatives  they  might  have  had,  lost  all 
knowledge,  if  not  all  memory,  of  them  and  their  for- 
tunes. The  luckless  child  inherited  from  his  parents, 
then,  nothing  but  some  of  their  personal  peculiari- 
ties ;  and  this  ancestral  property  was  not  in  itself 
very  valuable.  The  active  industry  and  shrewd  but 
uncultivated  capacity  of  his  father  were  diluted,  by  the 
feeble  indolence  of  his  other  progenitor,  into  an  aim- 
less and  unproductive  restlessness,  which,  though  not 
precisely  laziness,  never  developed  into  industry,  and, 
though  always  ready  for  any  desultory  and  impulsive 
exertion,  was  decidedly  repugnant  to  any  systematic 
labor.  This  unfortunate  trait  probably  prevented 
the  urchin  from  obtaining  any  permanent  foothold  in 
some  charitable  household,  where  wholesome  discipline 
might  have  shaped  his  ill-sorted  faculties  into  practical 
usefulness. 

As  it  was,  he  wandered  about  the  little  circle  of  the 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  1 

neighborhood, —  now  here,  now  there,  and  sometimes 
apparently  either  everywhere  or  nowhere,  it  was 
hard  to  say  which.  He  grew  up,  of  course,  in  all 
manner  of  unprofitable  oddities,  as  human  beings 
must  that  grow  wild  and  uncared  for. 

Without  a  particle  of  learning,  —  for,  in  his  help- 
lessness, necessity  had  taught  him  to  scorn  all  super- 
fluities, —  the  boy  became  a  thorough-going  and  prac- 
tical stoic,  a  genuine  follower  of  Zeno.  The  sage 
inquiry  of  the  old  philosopher  —  "  Cui  bono  ?  "  —  was 
always  upon  his  lips  ;  not,  indeed,  in  Latin,  but  as  Sam 
was  wont  to  phrase  it,  —  "  What's  the  use  ?  "  This 
was  his  unfailing  answer  to  all  reproach,  and  the  all- 
sufficient  reply  to  remonstrance  or  advice.  To  live, 
was  all  he  asked  of  the  world  ;  and  he  gave  in  return 
just  what  he  asked,  —  nothing  at  all,  or  thereabouts. 

In  fact,  for  most  useful  purposes,  Sam  was  a  cipher : 
he  stood  at  zero  in  the  social  scale.  And  yet,  like 
other  things  in  this  well-ordered  world,  he  did  not  live 
for  nothing.  He  did  a  thousand  insignificant  things, 
that  nobody  else  could  or  would  do  ;  and  he  kept  the 
neighborhood  in  good  humor  by  a  genial  slang  and  ready 
wit,  that  gushed  spontaneously  from  his  untaxed  and 
vagrant  readiness,  as  brilliant,  though  perhaps  coarse 
weeds  sprout  from  a  strong  and  neglected  soil. 

His  tongue  seemed  to  have  taken  upon  contract 
all  the  work  and  responsibilities  of  his  other  members, 
and  was  as  active  as  the  rest  were  slothful.  If  it  did 
not  in  fact  do  their  labor,  it  stood  ready  at  least  with 
a  quaint  apology  for  its  not  being  done. 

If  good  for  little  or  nothing  himself,  Shirk  was  an 
all-pervading  bond  of  union  to  his  own  little  world. 
He  found  out  everybody's  business,  and  told  it  to  their 
neighbors.  He  knew  every  nook  in  the  village,  and 


8  SAM  SHIRK: 

spied  out  all  the  small  gossip  that  was  afloat.  Thus 
he  served  pretty  much  the  purposes  of  a  daily  newspa- 
per ;  and  in  the  absence  of  any  competition  in  this  line, 
his  services  were  invaluable.  If  he  sometimes  set  peo- 
ple by  the  ears  with  his  tattle,  he  still  oftener  pre- 
vented or  cured  dissension  by  his  absurd  and  humor- 
ous mediations ;  so  that  he  had,  on  the  whole,  one 
decided  advantage  over  modern  journalism,  which  is 
not  apt  to  sacrifice  piquancy  to  charity  or  prudence. 

Compelled,  like  a  rat  or  any  other  parasite  of  civil- 
ization, to  live  upon  society  as  he  best  could,  he  would 
patiently  live  on  nothing,  when  there  was  nothing  to 
be  had ;  and  when,  by  good  luck,  he  got  into  comfort- 
able quarters,  he  furnished  his  interior  plentifully,  and 
drew  upon  his  deposits  until  Providence  sent  him  a 
fresh  supply. 

But  among  these  simple  but  comfortable  homesteads 
there  was  always  food  to  spare  for  chance  necessities  ; 
and,  if  nature  had  furnished  him  with  clothing  gratis, 
Sam  would  have  been  —  to  use  his  own  expression  — 
"  as  independent  as  a  musk-rat."  But  here  was  a  trying 
point.  Clothes  would  wear  out ;  and  when  they  fairly 
dropped  off,  he  was  compelled,  of  sheer  necessity,  to 
achieve  the  acquisition  of  a  new  garment.  In  allevia- 
tion, however,  of  this  unfortunate  consequence  of  the 
loss  of  man's  primeval  innocence,  he  had  an  astonish- 
ing gift  of  contentment.  He  could  wear  his  winter 
jacket  till  midsummer,  —  its  gradual  dilapidation  adapt- 
ing itself  pretty  regularly  to  the  advancing  tempera- 
ture of  the  weather,  —  and,  when  its  last  remnant 
deserted  him,  would  appear  in  some  new  summer  garb, 
that  he  had  contrived  to  beg,  borrow,  or  buy.  This 
served  the  turn  till  time  and  winter  again  compelled  him, 
like  a  snake,  with  pain  and  trouble,  to  cast  off  his  skin 


A   TALE   OF  THE   WOODS   OF  MAINE.  9 

and  provide  himself  with  a  new  one.  His  garb  could 
always  boast  a  picturesqueness  that  relieved  it  from 
the  reproach  of  stiffness,  so  often  cast  upon  the  fashion 
of  modern  masculine  attire.  He  generally  wore  coats 
and  pantaloons  of  grotesque  and  inconsistent  propor- 
tions,—  adapted  to  his  chances  of  buying  or  begging 
more  than  to  his  person  ;  and  his  costume  was  com- 
monly completed  by  hat  or  cap,  shoes  or  boots,  that 
looked  as  if  they  had  made  the  tour  of  the  world,  and 
brought  back  some  mark  of  wear  and  tear  or  acquired 
peculiarity  from  every  country  they  had  visited. 

Yet,  through  all  this  vagabond  life  and  pinched  ex- 
istence, poor  Sam  kept  up  a  warm  and  light  heart  and 
an  honest  one.  His  moral  deductions  could  hardly  be 
expected  to  be  of  the  most  rigid  or  enlightened  order. 
Yet  no  temptation  could  have  been  successfully  of- 
fered, even  to  his  utter  destitution,  to  commit  an  act 
that  he  felt  to  be  dishonest  or  mean.  In  all  his  pov- 
erty of  social  consideration,  he  had  the  confidence  and 
good- will  and  a  certain  kind  of  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him  ;  and  he  deserved  it ;  for  want  had  neither 
soured  nor  corrupted  him. 

Such  was  Sam  Shirk,  when  he  had  attained  in  this 
disjointed  fashion  his  early  manhood  ;  and  his  occu- 
pation was  to  do  as  nearly  nothing  as  could  well  be 
contrived.  He  sat  about  mostly  in  .the  sun,  or  by  the 
stoves  in  the  little  shops,  and  made  small  carts,  wind- 
mills, or  wooden  swords  for  the  children  ;  sometimes 
getting  an  equivalent  in  gingerbread,  but  equally  ready 
to  minister  to  their  demands,  with  or  without  reward. 
In  this  line  of  business  he  was  unrivaled.  He  could 
whittle  down  a  lath  quicker,  smooth  up  a  bat  neater, 
and  make  a  chip  boat  better  than  any  man  in  all 
"  Down-east." 


10  SAM  SHIRK: 

Sam  was  one  day  tempted,  in  order  to  compass  the 
purchase  of  a  new  knife,  which  he  especially  coveted, 
to  do  a  little  work  with  a  barrow  for  the  shop-keeper 
who  had  it  for  sale.  After  trundling  backward  and 
forward  for  some  time,  he  began  to  tire  somewhat  of 
his  job.  But  he  was  a  man  of  his  word,  and  never 
balked  a  fair  bargain.  So,  compromising  between  con- 
science and  weakness  of  the  flesh,  he  seated  himself 
in  the  shade  of  the  store  —  for  it  was  warm  weather 
—  to  indulge  in  some  faint  regrets  of  his  rash  ambi- 
tion and  refresh  his  heated  body.  His  barrow,  mean- 
while, was  left  in  the  middle  of  the  track,  for  it  could 
hardly  be  called  a  road.  It  so  happened  that,  while 
he  was  thus  taking  his  ease,  old  Deacon  Butler's  widow 
came  along  that  way  on  horseback,  —  the  most  usual 
and  convenient  mode  of  travel  on  the  rough  roads  of 

O 

new  settlements.  The  widow's  mare,  having  an  al- 
lowance of  oats  in  large  proportion  to  her  work, 
chanced  to  feel  in  a  frisky  humor  ;  and  set  off  with 
the  old  lady  at  a  pace  far  beyond  the  dignified  and 
steady  trot  to  which  she  had  been  trained  for  years, 
while  she  bore  about  the  revered  person  of  the  de- 
ceased Deacon.  In  vain  did  her  mistress,  relying  on 
long  acquaintance  and  the  sober  habits  of  the  steed, 
pull  at  the  reins  and  ejaculate,  "Whoa,  Dobbin, 
whoa."  At  every  twitch  the  unruly  mare  quickened 
her  pace.  Perhaps  she  could  not  discriminate  between 
the  restraining  exertions  of  the  dame  and  the  constant 
jerkings  with  which  her  old  master  habitually  re- 
galed her  mouth  every  time  he  rose  in  his  stirrups. 
At  any  rate,  Dobbin's  legs  went  on  in  an  andante 
measure  astonishing  to  the  spectators  who  knew  the 
animal's  general  character.  From  rapid  trot  to  canter, 
and  from  canter  to  gallop,  away  she  went,  —  winding 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.     11 

among  the  rocks  and  stumps  and  dashing  through  or 
leaping  over  the  holes  and  sloughs.  Never,  since  colt- 
hood,  had  she  dreamed  of  running  such  a  rig  before. 

Bounce,  bounce  went  the  old  lady,  from  her  saddle 
to  the  mare's  neck  and  from  the  mare's  neck  to  the 
saddle  again.  At  length,  the  oscillations  from  the  cen- 
tre of  gravity  became  so  extreme  as  to  threaten  imme- 
diate dissolution  of  copartnership  between  the  horse 
and  rider  ;  when,  luckily,  the  beast  came  plump  upon 
Sam's  wheelbarrow.  The  sight  of  this  obstacle  some- 
what sobered  her  pace  ;  till,  as  she  checked  herself  to 
consider  whether,  on  the  whole,  it  was  worth  while 
to  jump  over  it  for  the  sake  of  continuing  the  frolic, 
her  mind  was  suddenly  made  up  upon  the  point,  by 
Sam's  broad  hand  upon  the  bridle. 

Now  the  dame  was  kind-hearted  and  charitable,  and 
gratitude  for  Sam's  timely  interposition  came  in  aid  of 
her  sympathy  for  his  wretchedly  shabby  appearance. 

"  Sammooel,"  said  she,  "  you  have,  under  Provi- 
dence, saved  me  from  great  danger,  and  I  will  re- 
ward you.  Come  up  to  my  house  to-night,  when 
work  is  over." 

"  What's  the  use,  ma'am  ?  "  replied  Sam.  "  'Twan't 
no  trouble  to  me ;  'tan't  worth  talking  about." 

"  O  come  up,  Sammooel ;  it  will  be  worth  your 
while.  Come  up  when  your  work's  done." 

"  Well,  ma'am,  I'll  come  if  you  say  so.  Arter 
I'm  done  with  this  consarned  job,  I'll  come  when 
you  say." 

"  Well,  come  up  and  get  your  supper,  and  I  will 
talk  with  you  about  something  to  your  advantage." 

"  Yes,  ma'am.  But  somehow  or  other  I  han't 
never  found  much  to  my  advantage  yet.  Things  is 
always  contrary  with  me.  It  an't  the  natur  on  me  to 


12  SAM  SHIRK: 

get  along  as  some  folks  does ;  and  the  reason  on't  I 
think  may  be  "  — 

"  Well,  well,  Sammooel,  —  we'll  talk  it  over  to- 
night. Now  turn  the  old  mare  round  and  lead  her 
over  that  bad  hole  ;  and  let  me  see  whether  she  will 
go  home,  like  a  decent  beast,  as  I  always  took  her  to 
be." 

"  O  ma'am,  appearances  is  desateful.  Accidents 
will  happen.  And  fact,  ma'am,  if  I  lived  as  easy 
as  the  old  mare,  seems  to  me,  I  should  feel  like  raisin' 
Cain  about  all  the  time." 

"  Well,  Sammooel,  I  must  go  along.  Let  go  the 
bridle  now." 


4.  TALE   OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  13 


CHAPTER  II. 

As  Dame  Butler  jogged  off  homeward,  Shirk's 
philosophy,  having  no  longer  an  audience,  returned  to 
its  perch  in  the  shade  of  the  store,  and  held  commu- 
nion with  itself. 

"  Now,"  said  he  to  himself  "  there's  one  advan- 
tage in  taking  things  easy.  My  wheelbarrow  saved 
the  old  lady's  getting  throw'd  off;  and  she'll  give  me 
a  pound  o'  tobakker  or  some  sich  matter.  But  it's 
some  ways  up  to  her  house,  and  I  don't  know  as  I'd 
go  for  a  pound  o'  tobakker.  But  then  she  might  think 
I  wasn't  perlite  ;  and,  besides,  I  promised,  and  a  bar- 
gin's  a  bargin." 

So  the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon  found  him  upon 
the  road  ;  and,  after  some  dozen  halts  to  inform  every- 
body he  met,  how  "  the  widder's  mare  had  run 
away,  and  how  his  barrow  had  stopt  her,  and  how  he 
was  going  to  get  a  pound  o'  tobakker  or  some  sich 
likes,"  he  reached  his  destination  at  last,  in  time  for 
the  early  meal  that  closed  the  clay. 

He  found  the  careful  dame  employed,  with  a  young 
girl  that  she  kept  as  "help,"  in  baking  the  bread  and 
brewing  a  "  dish  of  tea."  The  Indian  corn  cakes  soon 
smoked  upon  the  board,  supported  by  a  huge  plate  of 
boiled  potatoes  and  salt  fish.  Without  any  ceremony 
the  trio  sat  down  to  the  meal,  to  which  Sam,  at  least, 
did  full  justice.  After  their  appetites  were  sated,  the 


14  SAM  SHIRK: 

matron  drew  her  chair  aside,  while  her  damsel  cleared 
away  the  relics  of  the  repast.  Her  guest's  eyes  fol- 
lowed each  dish,  as  it  retired,  as  if  he  wished  that  his 
capacity  for  containing  could  have  been  enlarged  in 
their  favor ;  for  so  comfortable  a  chance  was,  to  him, 
of  dubious  recurrence. 

"  Now,  Sam,"  said  the  widow ;  and,  as  she  com- 
menced, her  auditor,  assuming  a  look  of  attention,  pre- 
pared himself  for  the  session  by  some  manoeuvres  es- 
sential in  his  mind  to  the  occasion.  First,  he  drew 
from  his  pocket  a  short,  smutty  pipe,  which  he  knocked 
upside  down  against  the  mantel-bar  to  clear  it  of  ashes. 
Then,  depositing  it  by  his  side,  he  drew  up  a  square 
block  that  served  as  a  chimney-corner  seat,  and,  es- 
tablishing himself  thereupon,  produced  from  the  same 
pouch  a  hand  of  tobacco  and  the  new  knife.  This 
latter  he  eyed  for  a  moment  on  one  side,  then 
turned  it  and  examined  the  other.  Next,  he  slowly 
opened  the  blade,  and  renewed,  upon  the  steel,  the  in- 
spection the  handle  had  already  undergone.  Your 
regular  whittler  always  examines  his  knife,  with  care- 
ful gravity,  every  time  he  takes  it  in  hand.  Not  that 
he  is  likely  to  make  any  discoveries, —  for  he  does  it 
twenty  times  a  day.  It  is  a  little  piece  of  coquetry 
that  probably  gives  the  same  pleasure  a  dandy  receives 
from  stroking  a  moustache,  or  a  lady  in  toying  with 
her  curls.  At  any  rate,  Sam  looked  his  knife  all  over, 
and  with  especial  complacency,  as  it  was  a  new  acqui- 
sition ;  for  the  fruits  of  his  labors  were  not  so  abun- 
dant as  to  have  deadened  by  frequency  the  soft  titilla- 
tions  of  the  bump  of  acquisitiveness.  This  ceremony 
performed,  he  cut  a  bit  of  tobacco,  crumbled  it  in  his 
palm,  and  loading  his  pipe,  laid  a  small  coal  thereon, 
with  the  help  of  a  chip.  When  two  or  three  puffs 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  15 

had  insured  successful  combustion,  he  edged  himself 
into  the  corner  of  the  broad  fire-place,  that  the  smoke 
might  not  incommode  his  hostess,  and  began  vigorously 
to  dispense  to  his  nostrils  a  cloud  of  the  fragrant  vapor. 
There  remained  yet  one  other  requisite  to  complete  a 
perfectly  felicitous  arrangement.  This  was  readily 
supplied  by  a  small  cedar  rift  that  lay  among  the  little 
pile  of  fuel  at  one  end  of  the  hearth.  Sam  seized 
upon  this ;  and  squatting  upon  his  block,  laid  it  out 
straight  between  his  knees, —  one  end  on  the  floor,  the 
other  grasped  in  his  left  hand.  Applying  the  bright 
knife-blade  to  the  upper  end  of  the  fissile  wood,  he 
paused  for  a  moment  and  looked  up  at  his  companion, 
as  much  as  to  say,  "  Now  for  it." 

The  knife  moved  up  and  down,  regular  as  the  pis- 
ton of  a  steam-engine ;  and  as  the  long  slivers  piled 
up  rapidly  at  his  feet,  the  conversation  thus  proceeded. 

"  Now,  Sam,  who  would  have  thought  of  the  old 
mare's  running  away  !  A  little  more,  and  she  would 
have  broken  my  neck." 

"  She  did  go  like  stashey,"  quoth  Sam.  Who  or 
what  this  queerly  baptized  illustrative  might  be,  we 
can't  say ;  and  we  do  presume  Sam  couldn't. 

"  Yes,  Sammooel,  she  went  terrible  fast,  and  I  be- 
gan to  be  afeard.  I  feel  under  obligations  to  you  for 
stopping  her  ,  and  I  want  to  do  something  for  you.  I 
don't  think  you  lead  a  creditable  life,  Sammooel." 

"  Ahem  !  "  grunted  out  her  auditor.  The  grunt 
was  about  equally  compounded  of  surprise  and  indig- 
nation, with  perhaps  a  dash  of  reluctant  assent.  Hav- 
ing no  special  defense  prepared,  he  thus  prudently 
passed  the  matter  over  for  the  time,  under  protest. 

"  Take  it  kind  now,  Sammooel.  Don't  you  think 
it  would  be  more  decent  and  comfortable  to  have  a 


16  SAM  SHIRK: 

home  of  your  own,  and  do  something  for  yourself,  and 
goto  meetin',  and  have  good  clothes,  and  keep  your  face 
clean  ?  Don't  you  think  it  would,  Sammooel  ?  " 

The  old  lady  here  paused,  and  looked  with  eager  ex- 
pectation for  some  demonstration  of  interest  from 
her  companion  in  such  a  brilliant  summary  of  good 
fortune.  But  she  looked  in  vain.  The  sparkle  of  her 
own  eyes  was  not  reflected  in  those  of  her  auditor. 
Sam's  eyes,  on  the  contrary,  fastened  themselves  upon 
the  chimney -back  ;  as  if  the  battered  bricks  could  help 
him  to  a  solution  of  such  grave  and  perplexing  ques- 
tions. The  knife  stopped  for  a  moment  of  profound 
meditation.  The  point  having  been  carefully  revolved 
in  his  mind,  the  knife  resumed  its  motion  ;  and  he  an- 
nounced his  own  ideas  on  the  subject  as  follows  :  — 

"  Now  I've  sumthin'  of  an  idee,  that  the  more  folks 
has,  the  more  they  wants.  If  they  only  know'd  when 
they'd  got  enough,  they  needn't  be  workin'  and  wor- 
ryin'  all  the  time.  What's  the  use  on't  ?  I  don't 
raly  stand  in  need  o'  them  things.  I  an't  necessiated 
for  nothing,  —  only  now  and  then,  leastwise.  Some 
folks  wants  to  be  plaguin'  themselves  about  forty-eleven 
things  all  the  time.  Now  I  don't, —  and  "  — 

"But,  Sammooel,"  interrupted  the  widow, —  for 
she  well  knew  Sam's  harangue  might  not  come  to  an 
end  very  speedily,  unless  it  was  chopped  off  short, — 
"  suppose  I  should  give  you  the  little  place  down  by 
Jim  Sharp's  :  it's  got  a  log-house  and  a  well  and  a  pig- 
sty,—  and  you  can  cut  some  logs  and  build  a  barn, 
and  it's  part  fenced  already,  and  you  can  soon  make 
it  so  snug  !  " 

The  good  dame's  eyes  lighted  up  once  more  with 
benevolent  anticipation,  as  she  watched  the  effect  of 
this  coup  de  main  upon  the  obdurate  Sam  ;  and  this 
time  not  without  the  desired  response. 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  17 

It  would  never  have  entered  his  head  to  have  earned 
a  farm  hy  his  own  labor ;  or,  if  it  had,  he  would  as 
soon  have  seriously  thought  of  drinking  up  the  Narra- 
guagus.  But  to  get  one  for  nothing, —  to  become  a 
man  of  property  without  lifting  a  finger!  Mammon 
carried  the  day,  and  his  vagabond  philosophy  gave  in. 
To  do  him  justice,  too,  a  higher  and  better  feeling 
was  mingled  with  the  exultation  of  this  most  unex- 
pected advancement.  So  light-hearted  and  unrepining 
as  Sam  had  been  through  the  dreary  days  of  his 
cheerless  youth,  his  neighbors,  when  they  thought  at 
all  about  it,  probably  half  believed  that  he  was  indif- 
ferent to  blessings  he  had  never  known.  And  in  some 
measure  he  was  so.  For  a  merciful  Providence  has 
given  to  long  habit  and  use  a  remedial  power,  which 
can  blunt  the  keen  edge  of  annoyance,  and  even 
sometimes  gradually  turn  a  weary  burden  into  an  al- 
most grateful  necessity.  Sorrow  gets  at  last  to  be  an 
old  acquaintance,  whose  comings  and  goings  are  little 
regarded,  and  whose  ugly  face  may  come  even  to  be 
missed  with  a  degree  of  uneasy  disturbance.  Sam 
himself  hardly  knew  the  extent  of  his  deprivations  ; 
but  occasional  painful  glimpses  into  brighter  hearts  told 
him  now  and  then,  if  but  faintly,  how  blank  and  dull 
was  his  own.  Some  token  of  a  kind  father's  care  or 
the  soft  words  of  some  fond  mother  now  and  then 
brought  a  vague  pain  to  his  careless  spirit,  —  even  if 
he  himself  knew  neither  the  reason  nor  the  cause  of 
it.  He  carried,  along  with  his  apathetic  contentment, 
a  smothered  feeling  that  he  had  not  in  life  all  that  life 
owed  him ;  that  he  was  tolerated  rather  than  wel- 
comed; and  that,  though  he  was  nowhere  treated 
with  unkindness,  there  were  daily  feasts  of  love  for 
others,  while  to  him  were  only  swept  some  careless 


18  SAM  SHIRK: 

crumbs.  Never  before,  for  long  years,  had  a  human 
voice  spoken  a  personal  and  warm  interest  for  him. 
Never,  since  his  almost  lost  recollections  of  his  moth- 
er's pale  and  listless  face,  had  he  seen  a  human  being 
bend  upon  him  a  look  of  heartfelt  kindness,  or  testify 
for  him  a  wish  to  do  more  than  relieve  some  petty 
want  of  the  passing  moment.  It  was  a  sudden  burst 
of  sunshine  upon  the  leaden  sky  of  his  unblessed  exist- 
ence. A  feeling  of  astonishment,  almost  of  awe,  at 
finding  himself  within  the  pale  of  sympathy  and  affec- 
tion, succeeded  the  first  natural  burst  of  joyous 
surprise.  He  sat  still  for  a  moment,  and  struggling 
tears  rolled  down  his  bronzed  cheeks.  He  jumped  up 
nervously  from  his  block,  dropped  the  cedar  rift,  shut 
up  his  knife  and  put  it  into  his  pocket.  Having  gained 
time  by  these  preliminaries  to  meet  the  unexpected 
emergency  with  some  shadow  of  propriety,  he  boiled 
over  in  a  half  blubber,  half  shout,  — 

"  Will  you,  though  ?  Good  on  yer  head  !  It 
would  be  clever  to  have  a  place  to  myself  where  I 
could  do  as  I  had  a  mind'ter.  But  then  " — his  face 
lengthening  —  "there'll  be  a  tarnal  sight  of  work  to 
do !  "  and  Sam  sighed  deeply  with  the  sudden  conflict 
awakened  between  ambition  and  indolence. 

"  Besides,  you  can  have  a  privilege  in  my  wood-lot 
behind,"  added  Mrs.  Butler,  following  him  up  hard; 
"  and  I'll  give  you  one  of  my  sow-pigs  too ;  and  you 
can  come  up  here  and  get  the  wash  for  it  every  day 
till  you  get  settled." 

Sam  now  surrendered  at  discretion.  "  It's  a  bar- 
gin,"  said  he,  "'and  thank  you  kindly.  I'll  see 
what  I  can  do  at  farmin'  a  spell." 

"  Then,"  replied  his  benefactress,  "  here's  a  deed 
of  the  place,  Sammooel,"  —  putting  at  the  same  time 
the  document  into  his  hand. 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          19 

Shirk  took  it  with  a  grin  of  delight.  But  uncultivated 
Yankees  seldom  act  upon  Sancho's  delicate  maxim, — 
"  not  to  look  the  gift  horse  in  the  mouth."  The  value 
of  a  thing  must  be  carefully  settled  by  arithmetical 
rule,  before  they  can  quietly  enjoy  it  as  their  own. 
Sam  read  over  his  deed  with  labor  and  pains,  and  with 
as  much  care  to  ascertain  its  validity  as  if  he  had  paid 
for  it  with  many  a  dollar.  Having  spent  many  idle 
hours  in  lounging  about  the  justice's  courts  holden 
from  time  to  time  in  the  old  log  school-house,  he  had 
picked  up  a  smattering  of  legal  terms  and  some  few 
truths  among  more  errors'.  The  scrutiny  of  the  deed 
elicited,  however,  no  suspicion  or  objection.  It  bore 
at  the  bottom  the  countersign  of  Squire  Preston,  who, 
of  the  rival  lawyers  of  the  village,  was  Sam's  oracle ; 
and,  like  wiser  men,  Sam  rested  his  faith,  perhaps, 
more  on  authorities  than  on  pure  law.  So  he  pocketed 
the  paper,  and  expressed  again  his  gratitude  as  he  re- 
filled his  pipe. 

"  Well,  ma'am  —  good  on  yer  head,  I  say  agin. 
Not  that  I  arned  it  of  ye  —  I'm  bound  to  ye  for't. 
And  I  hope  it  won't  be  no  shame  to  neither  on  us. 
And  now  I  guess  I'll  be  goin' ;  for  it's  gittin'  late  and 
it's  sumthin'  of  a  walk." 

"  Well,  Sammooel,  you  must  try  to  be  industrious 
and  you'll  do  well." 

Sam  winced  a  little  at  the  thought  of  the  new  sys- 
tem to  which  he  was  so  suddenly  pledged.  The  im- 
age of  potato-fields  to  be  hoed  under  hot  suns  some- 
what qualified  his  happier  anticipations.  But  the 
dignity  of  proprietorship  bore  him  up  against  the  un- 
welcome part  of  the  prospect ;  and  he  already  felt 
something  of  the  stimulus  and  the  energy  with  which 
the  hope  and  pride  of  independence  inspires  the  labor- 


20  SAM  SHIRK: 

ing  classes  in  a  free  land.  His  gypsy  theories  van- 
ished in  the  light  of  higher  prospects,  as  uneasy 
dreams  disappear  with  the  broad  daylight.  He  re- 
solved to  try  the  policy  of  labor  and  thrift,  with  no 
other  reservation  but  to  do  no  more  of  the  first  than 
was  necessary  to  secure  the  last ;  and  among  the  des- 
ultory fruits  of  his  vagrant  experience  was  that  prac- 
tical ingenuity  which  often  makes  so  tolerable  a  substi- 
tute for  hard  work.  Visions  of  plenteous  meals  and 
comfortable  firesides,  even  of  a  Mrs.  Sam  Shirk  and 
a  quantum  suff.  of  little  Shirks,  dawned  upon  his 
awakened  fancy.  A  melodious  grunt  from  without 
doors  recalled  him  to  earth  and  reality,  in  the  remem- 
brance of  the  pig  that  was  to  crown  the  widow's 
bounty. 

"  You  han't  got  no  rope  to  lend  me  to  drive  the 
critter  with  — have  ye,  ma'am  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Sammooel  —  you  may  take  that  piece  that 
hangs  up  on  the  peg  behind  the  door." 

Equipped  with  the  rope,  Sam  sallied  out,  and  soon 
noosing  his  prize,  departed  in  triumph  amid  the  loud 
grunting  and  squealing  of  his  prisoner  and  her  sym- 
pathizing relatives.  Between  coaxing  and  whipping 
he  drove  his  obstinate  companion  to  his  new  dwelling ; 
for  he  had  determined  to  move  in  instanter.  The 
lack  of  furniture  and  utensils  troubled  him  but  little  ; 
for  his  wants  were  few  and  simple,  and  his  expedients 
many. 

So  he  turned  the  pig  into  the  kitchen  for  the  time, 
and,  shutting  her  in,  collected  a  few  armfuls  of  the  deli- 
cate spray  of  the  silver  fir,  wherewith  he  made  himself 
a  bed  perfectly  to  his  mind,  in  the  other  apartment  of 
the  house.  "  I  suppose,"  said  he  to  himself,  "  I'd 
ought'r  set  a  chunk  o'  wood  or  a  stone  agin  that  'ere 


A   TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          21 

door,  afore  I  turn  in.  But  it's  got  to  be  dark  out,  and 
it  an't  much  use.  I  guess  the  pig  won't  try  to  get 
away."  Without  further  to  do,  he  laid  himself  down  ; 
and  his  happy  turn  of  luck  filling  his  brain  with  pleas- 
ant fancies,  he  and  the  pig  were  soon  rivaling  each 
other  in  musical  evidences  of  slumber. 

The  worthy  widow,  too,  went  to  rest,  happy  in  the 
unselfish  joy  of  a  benevolent  heart ;  and  the  golden 
pen  of  the  recording  angel  wrote  down  in  immortal 
characters  a  blessed  deed  that  might  have  balanced  an 
ase  of  sin. 


22  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  III. 

ABOUT  the  middle  of  the  next  forenoon,  Sara  again 
made  his  appearance  at  the  widow's,  evidently  looking 
rather  sheepish,  though  he  endeavored  to  maintain  his 
usual  air  of  listless  unconcern. 

"  Sammooel,"  said  the  dame,  looking  up  from  the 
tub  in  which  she  was  preparing  the  potatoes  for  din- 
ner, "you  ought  to  have  come  sooner  for  the  wash. 
Pigs  are  creaturs  that  must  be  fed  regular,  to  thrive." 

Sam  looked  still  more  blank  and  silly  at  this  ad- 
dress. He  stopped  and  picked  up  a  chip ;  took  out 
his  knife,  and  began  to  whittle  out  a  duck's  head. 
Then  he  threw  it  away,  as  if  dissatisfied  with  his 
work,  and,  picking  up  another  chip,  commenced 
anew.  At  last,  gathering  courage,  he  observed,  with 
seeming  coolness,  "  I've  concluded  to  part  with  the 
pig,  ma'am,  to  Jem  Sharp." 

"Part  with  the  pig!"  screamed  out  the  indignant 
widow  ;  "  and  so,  Sammooel,  that's  the  way  you  treat 
friends  !  Sell  the  pig  I  gave  you  only  last  night !  " 

"  No,  ma'am,"  said  Sam,  straightening  up,  —  "  not 
so  bad  as  that  quite.  I  han't  told  you  exactly." 

"  What  then,  Sam  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  long  and  short  on't  is,  I  didn't  fasten 
her  up  as  I'd  ought'r ;  and  she  got  out  and  killed  two 
of  Jem's  hens  and  his  great  red  rooster." 

"  Well,  now,  that  was  dreadful  keerless ;  but 
what's  that  got  to  do  with  selling  her  ?  " 


A   TALE   OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.          23 

"  Nothin',  ma'am.  But  Jem  said  he'd  sue  me  un- 
less I  gin  him  the  pig.  As  'twan't  no  use  to  go  to 
law,  I  let  him  have  her." 

"  What ! "  said  the  old  lady,  nowise  better 
pleased, —  "give  that  pig  for  two  hens  and  a  rooster! 
'Twas  as  handsome  a  pig  as  ever  I  raised.  Sam, 
you're  a  fool !  " 

Sam  looked,  indeed,  very  much  like  what  he  was  so 
summarily  set  down  for,  but  still  stood  on  the  defense. 

"  Well,  ma'am,  may  be  I  am.  But  Squire  Preston 
himself  would  tell  you  'twas  an  ugly  fix.  The  pig  was 
fairly  cotch  a-trespassin',  —  and  'twould  have  been 
trespass  querry  clossum,"  added  he,  in  a  dignified 
tone,  "  and  Squire  Preston  would  say  so.  If  I'd  a 
stood  Jem,  I  should  sartin  have  been  throwed ;  for 
Jem's  two  boys  swore  they  see  her  catch  'em.  So 
he'd  a  got  the  costs  on  to  me  ;  and  the  pig  wouldn't 
have  paid  'em,  to  sell  her  twice  over." 

"  And  has  Jem  got  the  pig  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,  ma'am.  And  I've  got  a  receipt  in  full  of  all 
damages,"  said  Sam,  exchanging  his  demure  tone  of 
apology  for  a  more  self-satisfied  one.  I  know'd  what 
was  wanted  there,  anyhow." 

He  then  handed,  for  her  inspection,  a  paper  folded 
over  to  an  inch  square,  which,  being  opened,  displayed, 
in  an  odd  mixture  of  printing  and  writing  letters,  the 
following  tenor :  — 

"  Valloo  received  and  I  hereby  release  and  discharge 
Sam  Shirk  from  two  hens  and  one  red  rooster  and  all 
other  dets,  doos  and  demands  to  date. 

"  JEM.  SHARP." 

"  There,  ma'am,"  says  Sam,  triumphantly,  "  you 
can't  say  that  an't  regolar,  nohow." 


24  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  widow  made  no  answer,  but  turning  over  the 
paper,  saw  with  surprise  her  own  name  upon  the  back, 
in  the  identical  wandering  characters  with  which  she 
was  wont  to  achieve  her  signature. 

"  Why,  Sam ! "  screamed  she  in  new  alarm ; 
"  you've  torn  the  deed." 

"  Why,  yes,  ma'am.  We  hadn't  no  paper,  and  I 
jest  tore  off  a  strip :  it  didn't  take  but  one  line  o'  the 
writin',  and  it  couldn't  hurt  the  vartoo  on't." 

"  One  line,  to  be  sure  !  And  that  was  my  signa- 
ture, and  now  it  isn't  good  for  anything." 

"  But  then  you  won't  go  to  dispute  it,"  replied  Sam, 
with  a  little  alarm  in  his  own  tones.  "  You  wouldn't, 
I'm  sartin  ;  and  if  you  don't,  who  can  ?  That's  law,  I 
know." 

"  No,  Sam,  I  won't  dispute  it ;  I'll  get  Squire  Pres- 
ton to  make  another  ;  but  you  must  pay  for  it,  to  cure 
you  of  your  keerlessness." 

"  Now  what's  the  use  ?  I'm  satisfied,  and  it's  good 
agin  everybody  but  you,  I  know.  I  should  have  to 
work  for  the  Squire  a  whole  day."  Sam's  face  grew 
very  long  with  the  anticipation.  But  Mrs.  Butler 
saw  that  it  was  high  time  to  take  the  management  of 
matters  into  her  own  hands,  and  announced  to  him  her 
design  accordingly. 

"  Well,  Sammooel,  w^e'll  go  and  see  the  Squire,  and 
he  shall  make  Jem  give  up  the  pig.  I  an't  going  to 
have  him  cheat  you  so,  that's  certain." 

"  Cheat  me  !  "  cried  Sam,  growing  warm  in  turn  — 
"  cheat  me  !  No,  that  he  didn't,  nor  no  other  man  in 
'Guagus  don't  do  it.  I  can  hoe  my  row  with  any  man 
on  the  footstool.  Besides,"  continued  he,  working 
himself  up  to  a  pitch  of  wrath  and  obstinacy  at  such 
offensive  insinuations,  "  I  gin  him  the  pig,  and  a 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          25 

bargin's  a  bargin  ;  and  'tan't  best  to  say  no  more  about 
it." 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  Sammooel.  I  shan't  hear  of 
any  such  thing  as  Jem's  having  her ;  and,  if  you  an't 
going  to  behave  yourself,  I  don't  know  as  I'll  give  you 
a  new  deed  of  the  place.  I  thought  you  knew  bet- 
ter." 

Shirk  now  found  matters  were  getting  serious  ;  and 
prudently  acquiesced  in  accompanying  the  widow  to 
the  Squire's,  carrying  at  her  command,  in  a  basket 
covered  with  a  towel,  two  hens  and  a  gentleman-bird 
of  the  same  species.  The  Squire,  having  been  duly 
informed  upon  the  case  and  received  the  instructions 
of  his  client,  set  off  at  once,  in  company  with  Sam  and 
his  basket,  upon  his  embassage  to  Sharp.  Sam  felt 
rather  small  about  the  business ;  and  announced  to  the 
Squire  that  he  would  sit  down  in  the  "  door-yard  "  in 
custody  of  the  feathered  part  of  the  concern,  and  await 
the  issue  of  his  negotiations. 

The  lawyer  found  Jem  as  cool  as  a  cucumber,  in 
full  faith  of  having  gotten  the  advantage,  and  with, 
firm  intent  to  keep  it.  But  the  threatened  displeasure 
of  Dame  Butler,  backed  with  some  weighty  legal  sug- 
gestions and  a  formal  tender  of  the  cock  and  hens,  which 
were  admitted,  after  many  demurs,  to  equal  the  victims 
of  the  pig's  malfeasance  in  all  excellent  hen-like  qual- 
ities, staggered  Sharp's  determination  a  little.  He 
felt  that  he  was  no  match  for  the  Squire,  and  was  like 
to  get  into  bad  odor  at  the  least ;  and  a  hint  of  a  chap- 
ter in  the  statute-book  concerning  swindling  and  sim- 
ilar topics,  finally  effected  the  desired  arrangement. 
The  fowls  were  turned  out  among  Jem's  stock,  and 
the  pig  released  and  safely  shut  up  in  the  pig-sty  upon 
Sam's  contiguous  premises ;  and  both  parties  were 


26  SAM  SHIRK: 

thus  placed  in  statu  quo  ante  bellum  —  a  more  fortu- 
nate termination  than  is  found  for  most  human  contro- 
versies. 

As  they  retraced  their  steps,  Shirk,  anxious  to  re- 
trieve his  character  in  the  eyes  of  his  companion,  ven- 
tured to  boast  of  the  legal  acumen  displayed  in  the 
release,  as  he  had  done  with  the  widow. 

"  You  can't  say  nothin'  agin  the  release  part  on't, 
anyhow,  Squire  !  " 

"  O,  no !  "  replied  the  Squire,  shouting  with  laugh- 
ter ;  "  I'll  uphold  that  as  a  good  and  sufficient  release 
of  cock-a-doodle-doos  and  all  other  doos,  in  any  court 
of  Christendom.  It's  natural  you  should  crow  over 
that,  Sam." 

"  If  it  hadn't  bin  the  Squire,"  Sam  afterwards  de- 
clared, "  I'd  a  whipped  him,  or  he  should  a  whipped 
me,  of  the  very  worst  kind."  However,  he  prudently 
refrained ;  and  the  Squire  laughed  so  heartily  at  his 
own  wit,  that  Sam  finally  laughed  too.  As  they 
stopped  at  his  office  door,  Mr.  Preston  wound  up  with 
an  exhortation  to  his  companion  to  keep  out  of  such 
scrapes  in  future. 

Sam  stopped,  set  down  the  empty  basket,  picked  up 
a  chip,  and  fell  to  whittling.  The  Squire  waited 
patiently  the  answer  which  he  knew  to  be  dependent 
on  the  point  to  which  Sam  was  sharpening  down  his 
stick.  When  he  looked  up  to  speak,  his  face  wore  an 
expression  so  serious  and  so  different  from  his  usual 
devil-may-care  phiz,  that  his  monitor  was  fairly  start- 
led. Greater  still  was  his  astonishment  when  his 
companion  deliberately  avowed  a  determination  to 
make  himself  industrious  and  independent. 

"  You  !  Sam, —  well,  who  would  have  believed  that ! 
But  you  are  right,  Sam.  Stick  to  that,  and  you  shall 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.          '27 

tnrive."  After  this  exordium,  he  took  out  his  pocket 
memorandum  book,  wrote  upon  a  leaf,  tore  it  out, 
and  handed  it  to  Shirk. 

"You're  right,  Sam  —  stick  to  it  like  a  man. 
There's  an  order  on  Tom  Tape  for  ten  dollars  to  help 
fit  you  out,  and  two  dollars  a  month  for  four  months 
out  of  his  store.  If  you're  afraid  I  shall  ask  for  it 
back,  I'll  write  you  a  receipt  for  all  cock-a-doodle-doos 
to  this  date."  So  saying,  the  Squire  walked  off,  shak- 
ing his  sides  with  merriment,  and  leaving  Sam,  as  he 
expressed  it,  "  all  in  a  mis-maze." 


28  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THERE  is  no  more  marked  characteristic  of  this 
world  than  what  our  philosophers  please  to  call  its  im- 
perfection. In  morals  and  in  physics,  the  abstract 
principle  is  seldom  found  perfect  or  unalloyed.  The 
concrete  development  and  visible  form  combine,  al- 
ways, more  or  less  exceptional  matter.  Everything 
works,  at  times,  what  seems  mischief  to  our  partial  per- 
ceptions. From  the  golden  circlet  of  the  year,  with  all 
its  beautiful  and  wonderful  beneficence,  dart  forth,  from 
point  to  point,  casualties  that  sting  like  serpents  hidden 
in  a  wreath  of  flowers.  The  glorious  source  of  phys- 
ical life  and  light  pours  down  the  coup  de  soleil  upon 
the  incautious  head.  The  air  that  is  the  breath  of 
our  nostrils,  sweeps  us  away  in  the  hurricane,  withers 
and  freezes  us  in  the  polar  blast,  and  stifles  us  in  the 
sirocco.  The  elements  that  are  our  ministers,  and  are 
assumed,  by  our  complacent  vanity,  to  have  been 
created  only  for  that  purpose,  must  be  watched  con- 
tinually, or  they  become  our  masters  and  destroyers. 
In  the  moral  world,  the  noblest  virtues  trench  nar- 
rowly upon  the  meanest  vices ;  and  the  head  must 
be  clear  indeed,  and  the  resolve  steady,  that  can 
maintain  the  exact  line  of  right.  Countless  disturbing 

o  o 

influences  cause  the  sensitive  and  impulsive  spirit  to 
oscillate  about  the  strait  and  narrow  path.  The  mag- 
net, though  ever  faithful  to  its  mysterious  polarity,  is 
stationary  and  true  only  in  a  state  of  repose  and  iso- 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.         29 

lation  unknown  to  human  hearts.  Even  under  the 
most  favorable  conditions,  our  spirits  waver  over  an 
endless  cycle  of  aberration,  returning  to  their  precise 
meridian  only  to  wander  on  the  other  side. 

Yet  there  are  and  always  have  been  wiseacres  who 
constantly  demand  an  invariable  rectitude  from  that 
sensitive  and  irritable  thing,  the  soul  of  man  ;  making, 
of  course,  their  own  opinion  the  standard,  and  their 
own  discretion  the  judge.  They  forget  that  if  the 
world  could  be  brought  up  to  their  pattern,  —  admitting 
for  the  time  the  infallibility  of  their  decisions,  —  there 
would  be  no  need  of  any  other  heaven ;  and  that 
therefore  either  heaven  or  earth  is  a  useless  superfluity 
in  the  economy  of  Providence.  Their  stiff-necked 
ethics  do  not  recognize  that  there  could  be  no  school 
without  a  task,  no  virtue  without  temptation,  no  char- 
ity without  suffering  and  sin.  They  cannot  perceive 
that  the  most  generous  impulses  of  our  nature  are  just 
those  which  dash  now  and  then  beyond  the  limits  of 
the  beaten  path.  Their  arithmetical  conscientiousness 
has  no  feeling,  no  generous  sympathy,  no  delicate  per- 
ceptions. It  will  not  see  that  our  kindly  emotions,  our 
gentle  affections,  the  sweet  attachments  of  love  and 
passion,  of  home  and  kindred  and  country,  are  all  in- 
evitably based  upon  universal  imperfection,  upon  mu- 
tual wants  and  daily  necessities. 

What  needs  the  mother  care  for  the  child,  if  it 
were  born  a  "  hinfant  phenomenon?"  What  needs 
the  child  revere  or  love  its  parent,  if  it  lacked  neither 
guidance  nor  support  ?  What  need  of  affection,  ten- 
derness, benevolence,  if  every  human  being  stood  up- 
right in  the  rigidity  of  absolute  exactitude  ? 

The  cold  ascetics  of  moral  and  religious  formulas 
measure  excellence  by  feet  and  inches  on  the  scale  of 


30  SAM  SHIRK: 

a  creed,  and  never  feel  it  as  a  spiritual  tendency.  They 
cannot  understand  that  many  a  man,  who  errs  often 
and  widely,  carries  yet  a  purer  soul  within  his  breast 
and  lifts  to  heaven  a  nobler  countenance  than  many  a 
precise  formalist  and  rigid  disciplinarian.  This  sour 
and  ugly  error  is  one  that  creeps  readily  into  the  creed 
of  most  reformers.  The  peculiar  religious  position 
and  tenets  of  our  Puritan  forefathers  gave  to  it  a  wider 
range  and  a  more  repulsive  aspect  than  common. 
Never  in  the  world's  history  was  there  a  set  of 
men  of  higher  thought  and  nobler  principle,  or  of 
more  narrow  sympathies,  or  more  chilling  exterior. 
Their  peculiarities  have  not  yet  disappeared  from  New 
England  life  ;  and  even  now  a  shadow  of  their  relig- 
ious gloom  rests  upon  its  society.  But  two  genera- 
tions ago,  their  prejudices  and  whims  were  in  full  force. 
A  smile  on  the  Sabbath  was  a  sin,  a  dance  was  an  out- 
rage, and  a  mince-pie  had  hardly  ceased  to  be  an  abom- 
ination. Pleasure  was,  ipso  facto,  crime,  and  privation 
and  abnegation  virtue.  In  every  little  country  vil- 
lage, you'might  find  a  pattern  man,  —  a  deacon,  proba- 
bly, —  whose  chief  business  was  to  play  the  part  of  a 
scarecrow  in  a  cornfield,  towards  all  the  graces  and 
amenities  of  life ;  to  glorify  God  by  degrading  man, 
to  frighten  the  children  into  a  moping  dullness,  and  to 
exhort  the  women  and  dragoon  the  men  into  a  jealous, 
dogmatic,  and  bitter  conventionalism.  Merrifield  had 
such  a  one,  in  the  person  of  Deacon  Hardy. 

The  Deacon  was  one  of  those  men  that  seem  to  be 
run  out  of  lead,  or  baked  of  brick  clay  in  a  mould, 
rather  than  made  of  flesh  and  blood.  He  was  almost 
entirely  negative.  What  he  was  not,  made  up  pretty 
much  all  that  he  was.  Nature  had  given  him  one  of 
those  short-sighted  minds  that  can  see  about  to  the 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  31 

end  of  their  owner's  nose,  but  no  further,  without  the 
aid  of  some  moral  spectacles  to  prolong  the  range  of 
vision.  And  such  spectacles  the  Deacon  would  never 
have  sought,  or  used  if  he  had  them.  For  he  firmly 
believed  that  what  he  could  not  see,  was  not  to  be  seen 
at  all ;  and  that  what  he  did  not  know,  did  not  exist. 
Within  his  own  sphere  he  was  sensible  and  shrewd 
enough ;  but  beyond  that,  he  was  not  only  ignorant 
of  everything,  but  ignored  everything.  The  Deacon 
was  no  speculator,  though  he  loved  money  well ;  he 
could  pick  it  up  by  hoarded  pennies,  but  never  amass 
it  by  venturous  thousands.  He  was  a  narrow-mouthed 
bottle,  to  be  filled  only  drop  by  drop.  More  would  run 
over  and  be  spilled.  He  was  not  benevolent  or  char- 
itable ;  he  seldom  gave  anything  but  advice.  He  was 
not  a  rogue  or  a  bad-hearted  man ;  in  fact,  what  al- 
lowance of  heart  he  had,  was  consumed  at  home,  in  a 
humdrum  regard  for  his  wife  and  family,  and,  to  some 
very  moderate  degree,  for  kindred  more  remote.  He 
had  not  much  feeling,  good  or  bad,  to  waste  on  the 
world  in  general.  He  never  begged  or  bestowed  fa- 
vors ;  never  took  his  neighbor's  property,  except  in  fair 
trade,  nor  let  anybody  get  a  cent  of  his  own,  without 
an  equivalent.  He  never  sang,  except  at  meeting ; 
seldom  laughed,  and  never  joked.  He  seldom  pitied 
or  grieved  for  others,  and  never  wept. 

The  Deacon  talked  of  nothing  but  business  or 
religion.  The  latter  was  his  hobby ;  and  a  popular 
one,  in  those  days,  more  than  now.  Yet,  though  con- 
stant at  church  and  prayer-meeting,  severe  in  manner, 
prompt  and  harsh  to  admonish  backsliders,  and  elabo- 
rately correct  in  his  own  deportment,  he  was  not  de- 
vout, though  he  thought  himself  eminently  so.  But 
the  spirit  of  the  golden  rule  dwelt  not  in  his  bosom. 


32  SAM  SHIRK: 

He  did  not  love  God  or  man  with  a  Christian's  love. 
Yet  Hardy  was  no  hypocrite.  He  was  conscientious  in 
his  own  fashion  ;  but  his  conscience  was  a  soulless  one, 
—  like  a  Connecticut  clock,  the  cheapest  and  meanest 
thing  that  could  be  made  to  travel,  with  apparent  reg- 
ularity, the  daily  round.  His  conscience  was  negative, 
like  the  rest  of  him.  It  never  urged  him  to  a  great  or 
good  action,  but  only  frightened  him  out  of  bad  ones  ; 
and  was  very  easy,  too,  with  such  as  were  only  mean, 
hard,  or  selfish,  yet  not  exactly  criminal. 

To  conclude,  the  Deacon,  in  some  sense,  did  as  well 
as  he  knew ;  but  he  should  have  known  better.  He 
had  suffered  selfishness  and  arrogance  to  master  his 
spirit  and  his  life,  as  the  rough,  dry  bark  cases  up  the 
tree.  Though  he  sowed  some  wheat,  he  let  the  tares 
grow  up  with  it  and  choke  its  growth. 

Now  Deacon  Hardy,  as  we  have  said,  loved  to  give 
advice,  if  he  gave  nothing  else.  Every  little  escapade 
of  the  boys,  or  innocent  folly  of  the  girls,  or  maturer 
errors  of  their  elders,  was  sure  to  be  visited  with  his 
censure.  He  was  at  once  self-constituted  Chief  Jus- 
tice and  High  Sheriff  of  Merrifield.  Our  friend  Shirk 
especially  was  the  favorite  object  of  his  denunciations ; 
for,  as  the  one  idea  of  the  Deacon  was  that  of  method- 
ical precision.  Sam,  its  very  antipodes,  was  the  chiefest 
of  sinners.  His  antipathy  to  Sam  had  another  reason, 
too,  besides  the  unblushing  and  irreclaimable  defiance 
of  wholesome  discipline  shown  by  that  harum-scarum 
cosmopolite.  For  Shirk  was  shrewd  and  observant, 
and  far  wiser  in  his  way,  in  fact,  than  his  censor.  He 
generally  contrived  to  retaliate  the  Deacon's  animad- 
versions, by  pungent  hints  and  absurd  counter-thrusts, 
that  hit  all  the  harder  because  they  were  so  adroitly 
conveyed  that  they  could  not  be  openly  controverted 
or  resented. 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.  33 

When  the  Deacon  heard  of  the  widow  ButK  r's 
bounty  to  Shirk,  and  of  his  opening  career  of  im- 
provement, he  indulged  in  sundry  depreciatory  re- 
marks. He  "  wondered  that  the  widow  didn't  know 
that  she  couldn't  make  silk  purses  out  of  sows  ears," 
and  often  quoted  the  proverb  that  professes  to  tell  in 
what  quarter  beggars  are  apt  to  ride,  when  they  get  on 
horseback,  —  together  with  many  other  equally  amia- 
ble comments  upon  the  judiciousness  of  the  matter. 

Now  the  minister  and  many  others  said  that  Deacon 
Hardy  was  the  most  exemplary  man  in  Merrifield ; 
and  the  Deacon,  in  a  quiet,  humble  way,  thought  so 
too.  Yet  there  were  some  who  saw  reason  for  believ- 
ing Shirk,  in  his  "looped  and  windowed  raggedness," 
and  with  all  his  vagabondism,  the  better  man  of  the 
two.  If  misfortune  overtook  any  of  the  little  commu- 
nity, the  Deacon  was  always  running  over  with  criti- 
cal discussions  of  the  how  and  the  wherefore.  "  Any- 
body, with  half  an  eye,  might  have  seen  how  it  would 
be  "  —  "  so  and  so  was  a  well-meaning  man,  but  he  was 
always  in  trouble,"  or  "  it  was  unaccountable  to  him  why 
such  a  one  didn't  do  this,"  or  the  other  poor  devil  ;'  ne- 
glected to  do  that."  But  while  his  neighbors"  sorrows 
and  calamities  thus  served,  with  Deacon  Hardy,  to  dis- 
play his  own  wisdom  and  afford  instructive  contrasts 
to  his  own  discreet  and  successful  example,  they  were 
sure  to  find  with  Sam  Shirk  a  generous  and  unhesitat- 
ing sympathy.  He  did  not  stop  to  discuss  the  causes 
or  the  legitimacy  of  their  distress,  but  forthwith  sought 
to  relieve  and  comfort  it,  if  he  could.  He  was  always 
ready  to  give  all  he  had,  which  frequently,  to  be 
sure,  was  little  or  nothing ;  and  he  would  go,  in  all 
weathers,  to  any  distance  on  a  charitable  errand. 

A  short  time  after  Dame  Butler  had  made  Sam  a 

3 


34  SAM  SHIRK: 

freeholder,  the  tall,  gaunt  figure  of  Deacon  Hardy 
came  down  the  road  one  morning,  on  the  way  to  his 
"store,"  or,  as  it  might  elsewhere  be  called,  his  shop. 
He  marched  along,  punching  the  ground  with  his  cane 
at  every  step,  as  if  to  make  sure  that  each  stride  was 
of  just  the  proper  length.  The  Deacon  had  enjoyed  a 
good  breakfast,  and,  according  to  general  physiological 
rules,  should  have  been  in  good  humor ;  but  "  crea- 
ture comforts"  were  not  allowed  to  influence  the 
stately  march  of  his  mind.  A  genial  satisfaction  sel- 
dom warmed  up  his  heart,  or  diluted  the  acerbity  of 
his  censures,  —  as  with  common  men  that  don't  live 
according  to  "  the  statute  in  such  case  made  and  pro- 
vided." Seeing  Sam  loitering  near  the  door  of  his 
shop,  he  sharply  accosted  him :  — 

"  Here,  Sam  !  they  say  you've  set  up  for  yourself 
at  last.  High  time  you  did  !  You  know  I've  advised 
you  to  do  it  many  a  time." 

"You  have  so,  Deacon,"  replied  Sam,  "and  no 
mistake.  You've  advised  me  to  do  it  very  often  , 
and,"  added  Sam  with  considerable  unction,  "  Wid- 
der  Butler's  gin  me  somethin'  to  do  it  with  —  good  on 
her  head !  " 

"  Well,  Sam,  I  hope  you'll  improve  the  chance,  and 
be  thankful  to  Providence,  and  not  be  larking  round 
any  more." 

"  I  hope  I  shall,"  answered  Shirk,  laconically  ;  and 
then,  after  a  moment's  pause  as  he  turned  the  Dea- 
con's homily  over  in  his  mind,  he  slyly  winked  to  the 
bystanders,  and  added,  "Hope  I  shall.  I'll  try  to 
be  thankful  to  Providence  for  the  chance,  and  to  the 
widder  for  the  farm,  and  to  you  for  the  advice  ;  and, 
when  I  can,  I'll  return  it  in  kind  all  round." 

Sam  looked  the  Deacon  full  in  the  face,  as  grave  as 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         35 

himself.  That  important  personage  doubted  for  a  while 
whether  Sam  was  bantering  him  or  not,  but  finally 
concluded,  such  an  incredible  impertinence  to  be  im- 
possible. So,  proceeding  with  his  authoritative  counsel, 
he  rejoined  :  — 

"  Well,  I'm  glad  you're  in  a  creditable  frame  of 
mind.  Dame  Butler's  been  very  generous.  'Twas 
full  as  much  as  you  deserved,  Sam  ;  and  you  must 
make  a  good  use  of  it !  " 

"Yes,  sir;  it's  a  plaguy  sight  more  than  I  de- 
sarved.  It  an't  every  day  a  man  finds  sich  a  friend  ; 
and  I'd  sooner  burn  my  fingers  off  than  put  her  out, 
any  time.  I  mean  to  make  it  do  for  my  life-time,  if 
I'm  lucky.  I  shan't  ask  the  widder  for  no  more,  you 
may  depend.  But  as  advice  is  cheaper  than  farms  is, 
praps  if  I  should  get  out  o'  the  article,  I  might  call 
on  you  agin." 

The  ludicrous  gravity  with  which  this  speech,  so 
suggestive  of  the  well-known  character  of  the  Dea- 
con's benevolence,  was  delivered,  upset  the  composure 
of  the  by-standers  ;  and  a  smile  passed  round  the  cir- 
cle of  idlers  that  had  gathered  round,  —  breaking  out, 
here  and  there,  in  an  audible  snigger. 

Hardy,  perceiving  that  the  sympathy  of  the  audi- 
ence and  the  argument  were  both  going  against  him, 
retreated  into  his  shop,  and  left  his  saucy  antagonist 
master  of  the  field.  Sam  poured  out  a  parting  volley 
at  the  closing  door. 

"  There's  a  sight  o'  folks  in  the  world,  that'll  always 
be  tellin'  what  ought'r  be  done,  and  never  helpin' 
nobody  to  do  it.  When  a  feller's  down  in  the  mud, 
and  an't  got  nothin'  nor  nobody  to  hold  on  by,  what's 
the  use  o'  tellin'  him  as  how  he'd  best  get  up  on  his 
legs,  —  as  if  he  didn't  know  that  well  enough  before  ? 


36  SAM  SHIRK: 

Now  I  like  to  see  a  man  put  out  his  hand  and  help 
him  up  ;  that's  somethin'  worth  havin'.  But  hang 
yer  advice  to  do  what  ye  want  to  do  bad  enough, 
but  can't." 

Having  thus  disposed  of  the  topic  to  his  own  satis- 
faction, and  to  the  apparent  content  of  his  audience, 
Shirk  took  himself  off  to  Tom  Tape's,  to  make  some 
purchases,  with  an  air  of  dignity  hardly  inferior  to  that 
of  the  Deacon  himself. 

The  latter  functionary  had  retired  into  his  shop 
considerably  annoyed,  and  endeavored  to  forget  his 
vexation  by  waiting  upon  a  little  knot  of  customers. 
But  after  putting  up  a  pound  of  tea  for  a  pound  of 
pepper,  and  drawing  a  gallon  of  molasses  in  the  oil 
measure,  he  left  it  all  again  to  his  clerk,  and  returned 
to  his  favorite  employment  of  minding  his  neighbors' 
business,  —  attention  to  his  own  being,  for  the  time, 
quite  out  of  the  question. 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.          37 


CHAPTER  V. 

DEACON  HARDY  was  a  sort  of  privy-councillor  to 
those  of  the  community  of  Merrifield  who  had  no  bet- 
ter. His  well-known  shrewdness  in  management  and 
prominence  as  a  thrifty  man  and  the  holder  of  an 
office  which  in  those  days  was  of  high  authority, 
together  with  his  peculiar  propensity  to  interfere  with 
everything  that  he  could  in  any  degree  control,  made 
him  a  sort  of  public  administrator  and  guardian  to  all 
who  needed  or  would  submit  to  his  guidance. 

The  widow  Butler,  having,  in  the  absence  of  her 
son,  no  natural  adviser,  often  recurred  to  his  opinion, 
when  at  a  loss  in  the  conduct  of  her  affairs.  The  good 
old  lady  had  reverenced  and  loved  her  deceased  hus- 
band, as  he  had  well  deserved  to  be  at  the  hands  of  all 
who  knew  him.  His  ecclesiastical  distinction  had  added 
not  a  little,  in  her  eyes,  to  the  weight  of  a  character  of 
natural  intelligence  and  force  as  well  as  genuine  integ- 
rity and  kindness.  Kings,  emperors,  and  presidents 
had,  to  be  sure,  a  shadowy  and  far-off  preeminence  in 
her  mind ;  but  of  all  the  tangible  and  appreciable  hon- 
ors known  to  her  practically,  except  those  of  the  min- 
ister, the  name  and  functions  of  deacon  were,  to  her, 
paramount.  She  had  revered  them  in  the  departed, 
and  her  fond  and  pious  awe  was  transferred,  in  some 
measure,  to  the  surviving  partner  of  her  husband  in 
that  responsible  office.  As  the  dead  Deacon's  opinion 


38  SAM  SHIRK: 

had  been  to  her  the  essence  both  of  law  and  gospel, 
that  of  the  living  one  carried  with  it  an  almost  indispu- 
table authority. 

"Cum  quse  ita  sint,"  as  Cicero  says, — these  mat- 
ters standing  thus,  Deacon  Hardy  wondered  much  and 
fretted  more  that  the  widow  had  taken  a  step  so 
important  as  her  donation  to  Sam  Shirk  without  con- 
sulting his  superior  wisdom.  The  gift  of  some  fifty 
acres  of  half  wild  land  was,  in  that  time  and  place,  not 
so  much  for  the  kind  benefactress  to  bestow,  as  to 
monetary  value,  —  though  an  invaluable  benefit  to  the 
receiver.  But  his  natural  right  of  ultimate  appeal  had 
been  infringed ;  and  Sam's  unceremonious  raid  upon 
his  personal  dignified  pretensions  tended  not  a  little  to 
sharpen  his  discontent  and  arouse  his  criticism.  So, 
after  sitting  uneasily  for  a  time  upon  the  head  of  a 
flour-barrel,  he  took  his  hat  and  set  out  for  the  house 
of  Mrs.  Butler. 

Knocking  at  the  door,  rather  for  a  sort  of  familiar 
apology  for  neglect  of  ceremony  than  as  making  any 
question  of  his  admission,  he  ushered  himself,  without 
waiting  for  any  answer  to  his  summons,  into  the  dame's 
common  apartment.  In  a  different  state  of  society, 
the  visit  might  have  been,  at  such  a  time,  by  no  means 
welcome  ;  for  the  apparatus  of  the  breakfast-table  was 
still  in  process  of  being  cleared  away,  and  the  mistress 
of  the  house  was  herself  occupied  in  arranging  the  pre- 
liminaries of  dinner,  while  her  handmaiden  washed 
and  put  away  the  material  of  the  earlier  meal. 

But  nobody  in  Merrifield,  in  those  days,  was 
ashamed  of  being  caught  in  doing  anything  that  was 
necessary  to  be  done.  There  was  no  tearing  off  of 
aprons,  hasty  wiping  of  hands,  huddling  up  of  dishes  or 
other  evidence  of  disconcerted  movements.  After  a 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  39 

calm  salutation,  indeed,  the  old  lady  suspended  her 
own  labors ;  and,  giving  to  her  domestic  the  pro- 
gramme of  further  operations,  turned  quietly  to  her 
visitor. 

The  latter,  according  to  his  invariable  habit,  glanced 
rapidly  round  the  room  to  scan  and  criticise,  before  he 
sat  himself  down.  Previously  to  taking  the  offered 
chair,  he  first  boxed  the  ears  of  the  old  cat  who  was 
lying  in  the  sun  upon  the  soft  cushion  of  her  mistress's 
arm-chair,  saying,  as  he  inflicted  the  admonitory 
cuff,  "  You'll  do  well  enough  on  the  floor,  Pussy." 

Dame  Butler  looked  a  little  askance  at  the  attack 
upon  her  purring  favorite,  but  said  nothing.  She 
knew  the  ways  of  the  offender  too  well.  •  Economy 
was  not  only  a  calculation  with  him,  it  was  a  passion  ; 
and  it  nettled  him  to  see  what  he  thought  to  be  waste 
or  improvidence  in  his  neighbors'  affairs  as  much  as 
in  his  own.  His  acquired  habit  of  dictation  led  him 
to  interfere  unhesitatingly  with  everything,  great  or 
small,  that  did  not  suit  his  views  ;  and  his  ready  advice 
boiled  over  constantly  on  all  short-comings  that  met 
his  eye.  He  never  troubled  himself  to  see  that  this 
petty  censure  did  much  more  harm  than  good,  and 
was  often  greatly  astonished  that  his  suggestions  were 
not  more  graciously  received.  He  could  or  would  see 
but  one  way  for  everything ;  and  that,  of  course,  was 
his  own.  That  anybody  might  have  a  fancy  or 
should  devise  a  plan  which  they  should  prefer  to  his, 
was  to  his  mind  about  as  rational  a  scheme  as  to  con- 
trive something  better  than  the  sun  to  warm  and  light 
up  the  world.  So  the  Deacon  drove  poor  Pussy  out 
of  her  comfortable  lair ;  but  he  did  not  occupy  the  va- 
cated luxury  himself.  He  was  simply  deeply  impressed 
with  the  idea  that  the  cushion  was  not  made  for  the 


40  SAM  SHIRK: 

cat's  comfort ;  and  he  wanted  to  see  it  saved  for  more 
appropriate  uses.  He  sat  himself  down  after  thus  dis- 
charging this  economic  duty,  in  one  of  the  flag-bot- 
tomed chairs  of  that  primitive  model  that  seems  to 
have  been  devised  by  Puritan  ingenuity  as  a  security 
against  self-indulgence. 

After  some  trivial  matter-of-course  remarks,  he 
broached  the  subject  that  lay  so  engrossingly  in  his 
mind. 

"  Well,  ma'am,"  said  he, "  I  hear  you've  given 
Sam  Shirk  your  farm  down  the  road  ?  " 

u  Yes,"  replied  the  widow,  "  I've  given  him 
the  little  place  there."  She  was  a  little  ruffled  at  the 
treatment  of  her  cat ;  and  her  tone  seemed  rather  to 
decline  any  further  interference  in  her  own  matters. 
But  her  visitor  was  not  easily  to  be  put  down  ;  and 
this  contempt  of  his  authority  only  served  to  increase 
the  bitterness  of  the  Deacon's  mood.  He  sat  silent  for 
a  minute,  poking  with  his  cane  at  a  straw  upon  the 
floor,  with  a  fierce  perseverance,  as  if  he  thought  it  a 
very  ill-behaved  and  reprobate  straw  indeed. 

Meanwhile,  the  damsel,  who  was  washing  up  dishes 
at  the  table,  redoubling  her  activity,  in  order  to  make 
up  for  the  temporary  withdrawal  of  her  mistress,  laid 
down  several  plates  from  her  towel  with  a  somewhat 
greater  emphasis  than  usual.  The  fretful  Deacon 
threw  towards  her  an  unamiable  glance,  which  passed 
harmless  and  unnoticed  over  the  head  of  the  girl,  who 
was  too  zealously  occupied  to  heed  anything  but  her 
work.  Presently  came  along  a  cup,  which,  being  duly 
wiped,  was  deposited  in  its  saucer  without  a  proper 
calculation  of  its  centre  of  gravity,  and  rolled  over 
upon  its  side.  The  patience  of  the  Deacon  lost  its  bal- 
ance too,  and  he  gruffly  growled  out,  — 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  41 

"  Betsey,  don't  make  such  a  clatter !  I  can't  hear 
a  word."  This  was  nothing  very  singular,  apparently, 
as  nobody  had  spoken.  "  Ma'am,  why  don't  you  stop 
her  ?  She's  smashing  all  your  things  up,  as  if  they 
didn't  cost  anything." 

Betsey's  rosy  lips  puckered  up,  and  an  angry  flush 
passed  over  her  face.  But  she  did  not  dare  to  show 
disrespect  for  the  awful  functionary  of  the  church. 
The  undeserved  rebuke  was,  nevertheless,  scornfully 
repudiated  in  her  honest  heart.  Her  mistress,  too, 
was  pained  by  the  harsh  interference,  but  she,  too, 
shrunk  from  the  audacity  of  repressing  the  imperious 
impertinence.  She  would  about  as  soon  have  thought 
of  railing  at  a  cold  wind,  a  scorching  sun,  or  any  other 
dispensation  of  Providence.  She  felt  deeply,  however, 
the  Deacon's  crustiness ;  and,  seeking  to  change  the  dis- 
agreeable topic,  mildly  asked,  "  Don't  you  think  I  did 
right,  Deacon  Hardy  ?  " 

"  What,  —  to  give  Sam  the  place  ?  That  depends 
upon  circumstances,"  sagely  replied  he. 

"  Why,  he  saved  my  life  perhaps  !  " 

"  'Twas  Providence  saved  your  life,  ma'am,"  was 
the  oracular  answer,  accompanied  with  a  dignified  and 
very  imposing  look  upward. 

'*  Well,  to  be  sure,"  answered  the  widow,  with 
honest  warmth,  "  and  Providence  sent  him  to  help 
me  ;  and  Providence  gave  me  the  means  of  rewarding 
him  for  it.  I'm  sure  I  think  I  couldn't  do  less  than  I 
did." 

The  logic  of  the  old  lady's  heart  was,  on  this  point, 
an  overmatch  for  the  cold  formalism  of  her  companion. 
He  felt  his  disadvantage  and  shifted  his  ground. 

"  But  will  it  do  him  any  good  ?  Sam's  a  hard  case  ; 
may  be  you'll  throw  away  your  land  for  nothing." 


42  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  May  be  I  shall,  and  may  be  I  shan't,  Deacon.  But 
I've  done  my  part,  and  I  hope  Sam  '11  do  hizzen.  He 
says  he  will." 

"  No  doubt  he  does,"  sneered  out  the  wise  man. 
"  No  doubt  he  says  so." 

While  the  discussion  was  thus  proceeding,  Pussy, 
urged  by  her  constitutional  taste  for  comfort,  had  qui- 
etly stolen  into  the  arm-chair  again,  and  lay,  curled 
into  a  semicircle  of  delicious  indulgence,  upon  the 
forbidden  cushion.  The  Deacon's  pent-up  fury  to  do 
some  good  to  somebody,  whether  they  would  or  not, 
burst  out  again  upon  her  luckless  head. 

"  What  a  cat  that  is !  why  don't  you  teach  your 
cat  how  to  behave  ?  It's  just  as  easy  as  not.  The 
cat  never  does  such  things  in  my  house,"  said  he, 
sweeping  her  once  more  on  to  the  floor. 

And  sure  enough, —  no  cat  ever  attempted  such 
atrocities  in  the  Deacon's  house  —  at  least,  not  in  his 
presence.  Experience  had  taught  both  cat  and  dog 
that  there  was  nothing  to  be  enjoyed  peaceably,  under 
his  vigilant  and  stern  discipline.  His  return  home 
was  the  signal  for  instant  retreat  into  the  safe  obscu- 
rity of  corners.  And,  the  first  time  the  door  opened, 
both  Grimalkin  and  Rover  invariably  escaped  from  the 
apartment  honored  by  his  supervision  to  some  quarter 
where  rights  and  wrongs  were  less  severely  construed. 

Dame  Butler  now  began  to  share  the  irritable  mood 
of  her  visitor;  but  her  mild  nature  was  incapable  of 
violent  demonstrations.  She  could  not,  however,  re- 
strain herself  from  coming  to  the  rescue  of  her  mar- 
tyrized dependent,  with  a  gentle  remonstrance. 

"  La,  now,  Deacon,  do  let  the  cat  be  !  I  always 
let  her  sleep  in  the  arm-chair  when  I  don't  want  it 
myself." 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.  43 

Pussy  might  have  added,  could  she  have  spoken,  that 
her  kind  mistress  seldom  exercised  the  right  of  sov- 
ereignty, when  it  interfered  with  her  own  snug  little 
arrangements.  Many  an  hour  would  the  kind-hearted 
woman  sit  knitting  in  the  uninviting,  straight-backed, 
and  flag-bottomed  production  of  the  rude  home  manufac- 
ture, and  gaze  with  placid  pleasure  on  the  slumbers  of 
her  cat,  in  the  capacious  and  softly  stuffed  recess  of  the 
old  heir-loom,  which  everybody  else  in  the  household, 
but  Pussy,  held  sacred  to  the  use  of  its  chief  and  old- 
est member.  But  she  would  not  disturb  the  evident 
satisfaction  of  Tabby,  for  the  sake  of  her  own  ease,  in 
any  less  case  than  extreme  fatigue  or  an  attack  of 
rheumatism.  The  sight  of  enjoyment,  even  in  an  an- 
imal, was,  to  her  benevolent  and  quiet  spirit,  a  positive 
pleasure.  To  tell  the -whole  truth,  the  perfect  ab- 
sorption and  voluptuous  laziness  with  which  a  petted 
mouser  luxuriates  in  a  soft,  warm  couch,  went  straight 
to  the  old  lady's  heart.  She  sympathized  with  it 
deeply,  because  it  was  so  thoroughly  in  unison  with  the 
dreamy  and  dozing  quietude  with  which  she  herself 
enjoyed  the  comfortable  lounge  over  her  knitting, 
when  the  cat  provided  herself  elsewhere,  and  the  arm- 
chair fell  to  the  lot  of  its  more  legitimate  occupant. 

In  the  present  emergency,  Pussy  could  do  nothing 
but  shake  her  injured  ears  and  take  herself  out  of  the 
way,  —  convinced  that  some  untoward  influence  ruled 
the  hour.  The  Deacon,  satisfied  with  his  success  in 
the  contest,  now  reverted  to  the  main  object  of  His 
visit. 

"  Now  I  would  have  made  Sam  agree  to  behave 
himself  before  I  gave  him  the  farm ;  and  kept  it  in 
my  own  hands  till  I  was  satisfied  he  would  turn  it  to 
good  account.  I  don't  believe  you  can  trust  him  out 
o'  sight." 


44  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  widow  sat  a  moment  in  consternation  at  the 
unpromising  aspect  thus  put  upon  her  benevolent 
scheme.  But  her  own  true  feelings  came  to  her  re- 
lief. 

*'  Well,  Deacon,  I'm  sorry  you  don't  approve  what 
I  have  done.  You  know  a  great  deal  better  than  I, 
perhaps.  But  it  seems  to  me  it  wouldn't  be  of  any 
use  to  have  tied  Sam  up  with  all  kinds  of  promises. 
If  he  didn't  mean  to  keep  'em,  'twould  only  have 
made  the  matter  worse  than  ever  ;  and  if  he  did,  they 
wa'n't  needed.  And,  if  nobody  ever  will  trust  him, 
how  can  you  ever  expect  him  to  feel  that  he  ought  to 
deserve  it  ?  " 

The  mentor  was  now  a  little  puzzled,  in  his  turn. 
But  he  sought  pertinaciously  to  contrive  some  way  to 
put  the  widow  in  the  wrong ;  and  adopted  another 
line  of  argument  to  effect  his  purpose. 

"  But,  ma'am,  such  lazy,  good-for-nothing  folks 
haven't  any  right  to  be  treated  better  than  they  de- 
serve. They  ought  to  work  for  what  they  want,  and 
ought  to  be  made  to.  Providence  sends  poverty  and 
trouble  for  a  punishment  to  them  that  won't  do  their 
duty.  You  nor  I  haven't  any  right  to  fly  in  the  face 
of  Providence.  Let  them  take  the  consequences,  till 
they  grow  wiser.  We  haven't  any  business  to  take 
such  things  out  of  the  Lord's  hands." 

The  widow  was  now  thunderstruck.  She  had  been 
vexed  to  be  compelled  to  suspect  that  she  had  acted 
unwisely  ;  but  the  idea  that  she  had  been  guilty  of 
impiety  was  overwhelming.  Her  hands  dropped  upon 
her  knees,  and  she  sat  looking  upon  her  censor  with 
a  face  of  unutterable  dismay.  Her  companion,  on  the 
other  hand,  drew  his  cane  up  under  his  chin,  and, 
casting  his  eyes  upward  for  a  moment,  subsided  into  a 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.  45 

position  of  triumphant  self-satisfaction.  But  he  had 
not  yet  gained  the  victory.  There  was  a  power  in 
the  heart  of  the  meek  and  placid  old  lady  before  him, 
that  he  knew  nothing  of,  —  for  it  had  no  place  in  his 
own,  —  the  power  of  Christian  charity.  For  a  few 
moments  his  unassuming  antagonist  was  stunned  into 
an  unresisting  amazement.  But  what  she  could  not 
reason  out,  she  could  feel  out ;  and  all  her  better  in- 
stincts told  her  that  she  was  right,  —  if  she  could  not 
tell  how. 

Deacon  Hardy  looked  upon  men  and  women  as  mere 
machines,  a  sort  of  animated  spinning-wheels,  from 
which  the  thread  of  life  was  to  be  produced  of  given 
quantity  and  quality,  according  to  a  fixed  standard 
promulgated  by  authority.  His  companion  felt  that 
there  was  something  more  than  all  this  in  human  ex- 

O 

istence  ;  though  she  could  not  have  proved  it  syllogis- 
tically,  for  her  life.  The  Deacon's  authority  was  great, 
his  words  were  strong,  his  conclusions  were  appalling. 
But,  timid,  self-distrusting,  and  unargumentative  as  she 
was,  Dame  Butler  was  true  to  her  instincts  ;  and  they 
were  good  and  pure.  She  could  not  disprove,  but  she 
could  despise  the  Deacon's  argument.  She  heard  the 
low  but  mighty  voice  that  spoke  in  her  heart,  and 
gave  it  an  indignant  utterance.  A  smile  gradually 
lighted  up  her  features,  and  the  gloom  of  doubt  faded 
away  before  it,  till,  at  last,  the  beautiful  truth  filled 
her  flushing  face  with  the  warmth  and  dignity  of  sin- 
cere benevolence. 

"No,  no!  Deacon  Hardy,  —  it  can't  be  so.  The 
Lord  has  given  to  both  you  and  me  more  than  we've 
deserved,  and  to  many  a  one  blessings  they  never 
earned.  No,  no !  that's  not  his  rule.  His  sun  shines 
and  his  rain  falls  on  the  just  and  the  unjust.  If  He 


46  SAM  SHIRK: 

does  not  judge,  it's  not  my  duty  to  condemn  my  fel- 
low-creatures, or  insist  on  a  price  for  what  little  I  can 
do  for  'em.  If  Sam's  been  a  vagabond,  he's  a  man, 
and  feels  like  one  ;  and  I  wouldn't  be  for  insulting  his 
feelings.  He  wants  to  be  treated  as  if  he  was  some- 

O 

body,  and  maybe  then  he  will  be  somebody.  But  if 
his  neighbors  won't  think  anything  of  him,  why  should 
he  think  much  of  himself?  I've  done  what  I  could 
for  him ;  and  I  an't  sorry,  and  I  don't  believe  he'll 
want  to  make  me  sorry.  Deacon,  this  grinding  down 
folks  an't  right ;  it  don't  do  any  good." 

The  widow  stopped  and  blushed,  —  almost  fright- 
ened by  the  boldness  of  her  own  indignant  eloquence. 
Deacon  Hardy  looked^  abashed  for  some  instants,  and 
cowered  before  the  flash  of  her  earnest  eye.  He  had 
never  seen  her  so  aroused  before.  Indeed,  she  had 
never  made  a  speech  half  so  long  in  her  whole  life. 
He  saw  clearly  that  he  could  not  overrule  her  convic- 
tion, and  took  up  his  hat  to  go. 

"  Well,  well  —  maybe  that's  all  right.  It's  hard  to 
settle  some  of  these  points ;  and  I  can't  spare  any 
more  time.  I  hope  it'll  all  turn  out  right." 

"  No,  you  don't !  "  murmured  Betsey,  as  the  wiry 
form  vanished  through  the  door. 

"  Why,  Betsey  !  "  said  the  widow,  — then  returned 
quietly  again  to  her  preparations  for  dinner. 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.  47 


CHAPTER  VI. 

DAME  BUTLER  was  one  of  those  good  old  souls 
whom  it  may  be  difficult  to  admire,  but  still  more  dif- 
ficult not  to  respect  and  love.  Her  extraordinary 
simplicity  hardly  allowed  the  first  emotion ;  while  her 
genuine  and  overflowing  kindness  of  heart,  honesty 
of  purpose,  and  truthfulness,  irresistibly  conciliated  the 
affections,  where  they  could  not  command  or  even  sat- 
isfy the  intellect. 

Having  removed  into  the  wilderness  at  an  early  age, 
she  had  retained  little  definite  memory  of  the  world  at 
large.  The  indistinct  impressions  that  remained  served 
only  to  stimulate  what  small  imaginative  power  she 
possessed,  without  furnishing  her  with  any  standard  of 
judgment  or  comparison.  They  were  to  her  like  the 
gorgeous  fictions  of  the  "  Arabian  Nights  "  to  young 
readers,  wonderful,  exciting,  but  not  supposed  to  be  ame- 
nable to  analysis  or  to  the  common  rules  of  compre- 
hension. Inexperience  thus  combined  with  a  most 
remarkable  simplicity  of  nature  to  stamp  her  character 
with  some  traits  that  were  amusing,  if  not  quite  ridic- 
ulous, to  more  knowing  mortals. 

She  had  dwelt  with  perfect  contentment  in  her  own 
allotted  sphere,  and  never  even  asked  the  question 
whether  change  could  bring  improvement ;  but  lived 
on  her  own  bough  of  the  tree  of  life,  until,  like  the 
chameleon,  she  assumed  its  very  color.  The  confined 
theatre  of  her  existence,  and  the  unambitious  current 


48  SAM  SHIRK: 

of  her  thought,  led  her  to  measure  by  barleycorns 
what  others  did  by  feet  or  yards ;  thus  she  lived  in  a 
continual  amazement  at  the  prodigies  enacted  about 
her.  Not  in  the  least,  however,  did  the  wonder  effect 
any  derangement  in  her  own  orbit.  Surprise  exhaled 
in  an  ejaculation  of  "  O  my ! "  or  "  Did  you  ever  !  "  and 
all  was  quiet  again.  The  astounding  fact  was  dismissed 
as  a  chance  guest,  that  went  its  way  and  was  thought 
of  no  more. 

The  widow  had  never,  in  the  whole  course  of  her 
life,  felt  the  smallest  impulse  or  entertained  the  most 
distant  idea  of  wronging  or  defrauding  any  one  ;  her 
nature  did  not  contain  the  elements  of  mischief.  There- 
fore, although  even  her  limited  experience  proved  the 
contrary,  her  instinctive  and  theoretic  belief,  or,  more 
properly  perhaps  feeling,  was  that  no  one  else  would 
injure  or  deceive.  She  heard  of  crimes,  and  personally 
felt  petty  wrongs  occasionally ;  but  she  wondered  at 
and  forgot  them  all.  Thus  afloat,  without  any  definite 
appreciation  of  facts  upon  which  to  base  conclusions, 
her  credulity  was  unbounded  ;  and  her  understanding 
objected  to  no  demands  upon  it,  except  it  were  some- 
thing too  repulsive  for  feeling  to  credit.  In  fine,  she 
was  nearly  passionless ;  and  the  temptations  that  misled 
others  being  unknown  to  her,  their  results  of  woe  and 
wrong-doing  were  inconceivable  ;  and  to  save  herself 
the  pain  of  condemning,  she  commonly  refused  to  be- 
lieve them.  Her  intellectual  powers  were  not  so  much 
deficient  as  they  were  quiescent  and  inactive  for  want 
of  all  exciting  impulse ;  and  she  never  sought  without 
her  own  bounds  what  was  not  found  within  them. 

But  in  one  point  of  view  Mrs.  Butler's  character 
was  far  from  weak  or  negative.  A  fact  or  a  principle, 
once  admitted,  was  fixed  forever.  In  the  circle  of 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.          49 

household  and  personal  duty,  she  clearly  comprehended 
and  steadfastly  practiced  what  she  knew  to  be  right 
and  expedient.  In  the  family,  her  laws  were  like 
those  of  the  Medes  and  Persians ;  and  to  any  encroach- 
ment upon  the  routine  of  her  daily  life,  she  would  op- 
pose a  resolve  as  inflexible  as  that  of  the  English 
barons,  when  they  replied  to  the  demands  of  illicit 
power,  "  Nolumus  leges  Anglias  mutare."  The  mild 
old  lady  would  exhibit,  indeed,  a  very  different  tone 
and  manner  from  the  iron-fisted  feudatories ;  but  she 
could  be,  on  occasion,  as  persistent  as  the  best  of  them. 
You  might  as  easily  persuade  the  wash-tubs  and  ket- 
tles to  dance  a  polka,  as  to  induce  her  to  do  anything 
in  any  way  but  what  she  thought  the  right  one,  or  to 
leave  undone  anything  that  she  conceived  that  economy 
or  propriety  called  on  her  to  do.  In  higher  matters 
of  conscience,  she  was  equally  scrupulous ;  and  would 
have  been  more  so,  had  the  thing  been  possible.  But 
with  her,  prejudices  were  as  strong  as  principles,  and 
habit  as  powerful  as  creed,  for  the  simple  reason  that 
all  were  omnipotent.  In  all  cases  decided  in  the  old 
lady's  mind  by  either  of  these  agencies,  opposition  was 
futile,  logic  and  eloquence  were  vain.  "  What  is  right, 
is  right,"  she  would  say  ;  and  this  undeniable  argu- 
ment was  to  her  a  moral  Gibraltar.  Yet  it  was  not 
that  she  was  obstinate,  in  any  bad  sense  of  the  word. 
It  was  not  that  her  will  was  so  strong  so  much  as  that 

O* 

her  conscientiousness  was  unenlightened,  and  there- 
fore her  power  of  discrimination  weak. 

A  day  or  two  after  the  occurrences  we  have  already 
related,  she  was  seated  at  a  window,  with  her  knitting 
work,  revolving  in  her  mind  the  events  that  had  thus 
ruffled,  for  a  time,  the  calm  current  of  her  life. 

"  How  could  Dobbin  run  away  ?  How  did  I  escape 
4 


50  SAM  SHIRK: 

without  breaking  my  neck  ?  "  Not  finding  any  very 
obvious  solution  of  her  innocent  wonderment,  her 
thoughts  diverged  to  -the  scapegrace  Sam.  "  How 
can  folks  be  so  dreadful  keerless  ?  to  let  a  nice  pig  like 
that  get  away  !  "  This  query  being  quite  as  insoluble 
as  the  others,  the  good  dame  reverted  to  the  first 
problem,  and  then,  in  renewed  despair,  returned  to 
the  second  once  more.  Dobbin  and  Sam  both  re- 
maining as  incomprehensible  as  ever,  she  finally  settled 
down  into  a  vacant  and  unresisting  perplexity. 

While  the  placid  old  lady  dozed  away  her  morning 
in  these  dreamy  lucubrations,  a  young  traveller  was 
urging  his  horse  towards  Merrifield  over  the  rough 
road  that  wound  along  the  sea-coast  from  the  westAvard, 
and  shaped  its  sinuous  course  from  point  to  point,  across 
the  heads  of  the  bays  which,  running  deep  into  the 
land  at  intervals  of  a  few  miles  from  each  other,  jagged 
its  outline  into  a  resemblance  of  a  huge  saw.  The 
pace  maintained  by  the  young  equestrian  was  rapid  as 
was  anywise  practicable  amid  the  obstacles  and  intri- 
cacies of  the  half-made  track.  Through  the  scattered 
stumps  and  stones,  through  the  sloughs  that  frequently 
occurred  where  the  brooks  wound  through  the  valley 
bottoms,  he  pushed  on  the  animal  which  he  rode,  with 
hand  and  heel.  The  steady  course  Avas  kept  up,  AA-ith- 
out  a  moment's  check,  up  and  doAvn  the  heavy  hills 
which  traversed  the  path,  running  down  from  the  inte- 
rior and  stretching  far  out  into  the  ocean  in  shaggy 
promontories,  Avhich  divided  from  each  other  the  bays 
and  roadsteads. 

It  was  a  lovely  June  morning.  The  brilliant  sun 
shone  with  unbroken  splendor  through  the  clear,  dry 
atmosphere  ;  but  there  was  no  lassitude  or  enervation 
in  his  beams,  for  the  north  wind  came  fresh  and  brae- 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  51 

ing  over  the  pine  forests,  from  the  Arctic  regions 
where  the  chill  of  winter  still  lingered,  and  breathed 
into  all  nature  a  full  and  vigorous  energy,  as  it  merrily 
chased  the  light,  fleecy  cloudlets  across  the  sky.  It 
was  one  of  those  temperatures  that  make  life,  to  the 
young  and  healthful,  not  only  a  pleasure  but  an  irre- 
sistible challenge  to  active  enjoyment,  and  send  the 
sluggish  current  along  more  briskly,  even  in  the  veins 
of  age. 

James  Butler  —  for  the  traveller  was  the  widow's 
only  son,  returning  from  a  four  years'  absence  — 
seemed  well  qualified  either  to  contend  successfully 
with  rougher  circumstances  or  to  enjoy  fully  the 
pleasant  scene  that  now  surrounded  him.  His  clear, 
calm,  hazel  eye,  brown  cheek,  amiable  but  intelligent 
countenance,  well-cut  mouth  and  chin,  denoted  a  char- 
acter marked  by  that  happy  equipoise  usually  termed 
strong,  practical  common-sense.  His  frame,  well  de- 
veloped and  graceful,  lacked  the  elements  neither  of 
strength  nor  activity  ;  and  a  luxuriant  mass  of  wavy 
dark  hair,  escaping  beneath  his  cap,  crowned  an  exte- 
rior that  might  well  find  favor  with  young  or  old. 
There  was  an  indefinable  air  of  prompt  and  efficient 
action  about  him,  which  strongly  indicated  that  the 
fishing-rod,  the  rifle,  and  the  saddle  were  all  both 
agreeable  and  familiar  to  him  ;  while  the  marked  sa- 
gacity of  his  well-defined  features  forbade  the  suspicion 
of  any  lack  of  intellectual  taste  and  culture. 

Just  over  the  brow  of  a  hill,  up  whose  long  and 
steep  slope  he  had  been  for  some  time  climbing,  a  lit- 
tle spring  welled  out  at  the  foot  of  a  huge  boulder  by 
the  roadside,  under  the  deep  shadow  of  several  tall 
and  dark  hemlocks.  A  small  clump  of  firs  edged  the 
track, — the  full  green  of  their  fan-like  masses  of  foliage 


52  SAM  SHIRK: 

contrasting  beautifully  with  the  fresh  olive  tinge  of  the 
new  shoots  and  the  silvery  reverse  of  their  compact 
spray,  as  their  branches  tossed  to  the  boisterous  breeze. 
The  delicious  perfume  peculiar  to  these  trees,  and 
which,  like  the  odor  of  new-made  hay,  cannot  be 
rivaled  by  -the  subtlest  skill  of  the  chemist,  pervaded 
the  bright  air,  as  it  oozed  from  the  pores  of  the 
aromatic  wood,  forming  those  fragrant  tears  which 
give  the  plant  its  common  title  of  fir  balsam.  Arrested 
by  the  exquisite  scent  that  fell  upon  his  senses,  at 
once  so  delicate  and  so  powerful,  Butler  checked  his 
panting  horse,  and,  springing  from  the  saddle,  gave 
the  animal  the  rein  at  the  edge  of  the  little  basin. 
While  his  faithful  companion  recovered  breath  and 
allayed  his  thirst  in  the  fresh,  cool  water,  his  master 
cast  a  glance  of  comprehensive  and  pleased  recognition 
upon  the  familiar  prospect  that  lay  before  his  eyes. 

Immediately  around  and  upon  either  side  extended 
the  high  and  rocky  ridge  on  which  he  stood,  stretch- 
ing away  northward  into  the  forests,  where,  crowned 
with  a  dark  growth  of  centuries,  it  melted  away 
among  the  broken  hills  of  the  interior. 

Under  its  northeastern  slope,  but  chiefly  hidden  by 
high  rolling  swells  that  started  out  laterally  from  the 
main  trunk,  like  the  waves  breaking  along  the  wake 
of  a  huge  sea-serpent,  lay  the  valley  of  the  Narragua- 
gus  River  and  the  little  village  of  Merrifield.  Here 
and  there  a  glimpse  of  the  stream  shining  in  the  bright 
sun,  or  a  clear  field  and  homestead  upon  the  opposite 
side  of  the  valley,  appeared  through  the  tall  gray  stems 
of  the  dead  trees,  and  the  scattered  clumps  of  bushes 
that  still  marked  the  site  of  the  woods  recently  fallen 
before  the  axe  and  fires  of  the  settlers.  On  the  north- 
ern horizon,  the  twin  summits  of  Humpback  Mountain 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  53 

and  the  highlands  on  the  Columbia  River  rose  over  the 
dense,  unbroken  mass  of  forest  which  spread  uninter- 
ruptedly to  the  shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  In  front, 
another  lofty  and  continuous  ridge  ran  seaward,  par- 
allel with  that  on  which  he  stood,  on  the  further  side 
of  the  river,  and  the  bay  into  which  it  emptied  four 
miles  below,  forming  a  bluff  rampart  to  the  high  and 
broken  table-land,  which  stretched  away  eastward,  till 
it  was  intersected  by  the  channel  of  the  Pleasant  or 
Columbia  River  and  the  estuary  that  welcomed  its 
waters  into  the  bosom  of  the  Atlantic. 

On  the  slopes  of  the  hill  a  few  houses  of  farmers  and 
fishermen  dotted  its  smoother  swales  with  their  little 
surrounding  patches  of  cultivated  ground  ;  but  its  crest 
was  still  covered  with  the  disheveled  and  straggling 
remnants  of  dark  woods  ;  except  where,  here  and 
there,  the  huge  granite  backbone  of  the  ridge  bared 
itself  in  bleak  and  weather-beaten  ledges,  that  glim- 
mered piebald  in  eternal  sterility,  under  the  bright 
sunshine.  In  some  spots  where  the  fires  had  swept 
through,  nothing  was  left  but  isolated  gray  trunks  of 
pines,  hemlocks,  and  spruces,  standing  bleaching  in 
slow  decay,  like  ghosts  still  lingering  on  the  places 
where  their  green  life  had  perished.  Around  them, 
the  surface  was  strown  with  an  inextricable  tangle  of 
rotting  trunks  and  broken  branches.  Rough,  gray 
boulders  arose  in  every  direction,  revealing  the  hope- 
less and  defiant  barrenness  that  was  once  concealed 
beneath  the  dark  canopy  which  Nature  had  slowly 
reared  in  the  progress  of  centuries  past,  even  from 
the  iron  bosom  of  its  desolation.  Now  and  then  a  lit- 
tle copse  of  birch  bushes  tossed  its  lithe  branches  to 
the  breeze,  relieving  with  patches  of  bright  verdure 
the  sombre  expanse  of  the  forbidding  wilderness,  the 


54  SAM  SHIRK: 

effort  of  yet  unexhausted  Nature  to  repair  the  devasta- 
tions that  had  invaded  her  domain. 

To  the  north  and  west,  rough  and  craggy  moun- 
tains, partly  clothed  with  shaggy  woods,  rose  blue  and 
huge  in  the  interior,  marking  with  their  harsh  out- 
lines the  general  rough  and  indomitable  nature  of  the 
country.  Yet  along  the  slopes  of  the  long  ridges 
that  swept  at  right  angles  down  towards  the  sea,  and 
embosomed  afar  off  among  the  towering  mountains, 
were  pleasant  valleys  and  picturesque  lakes  and  smil- 
ing water-courses,  inviting  the  incoming  of  human  life 

o  *  o  o 

and  civilization. 

As  Butler  gazed  upon  the  scene,  his  air  of  gratified 
familiarity  sobered  into  a  more  serious  expression. 
The  reflections  of  the  man  began  to  modify  the  impul- 
sive pleasure  of  boyish  recollections. 

"  Well,"  thought  he,  "  here  is  the  river,  and  there 
the  mountains,  the  hills,  and  the  woods  as  they  were 
four  years  ago ;  and  my  heart  gushes  out  towards 
them  with  the  affection  of  old  acquaintanceship.  But 
I  must  confess  that  I  have  somewhat  flattered  them,  in 
the  picture  imprinted  on  my  memory.  Uncle  John 
was  not  altogether  unjustified  when  he  ungraciously 
styled  my  childish  paradise  an  unprofitable  wilderness. 
Wilderness  it  most  of  it  is,  pretty  surely ;  and  as  to 
the  profit,  the  prospect  is  decidedly  brighter  in  Corn- 
hill  or  on  Long  Wharf.  I  must  admit,  too,  that  some 
of  the  cultivated  graces  of  the  old  homesteads  in 
Massachusetts  would  decidedly  improve  the  scenery. 
'  Sed  non  omnibus  omnia,'  as  the  old  fellow  said  long 
time  ago.  Nature  is  too  economical  to  spend  all  her 
treasures  on  one  spot ;  and  man  has  done  little  enough 
here,  as  yet. 

"  Well,  the  more  room,  then,  for  improvement.     I 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.          55 

need  not  rust  out  for  want  of  occupation ;  and  there 
are  good  things  here  as  elsewhere.  This  country  is 
grand  and  picturesque,  if  not  rich  and  luxuriant. 
There  are  plenty  of  fish  in  the  sea,  trout  in  the  brooks, 
and  deer  in  the  woods  ;  and  true-hearted  men,  and 
pretty  girls  too,  in  these  rude  log-houses. 

"  It  seems  to  be  hard,  though,  that  experience  leaves 
always  disappointment  behind.  The  more  we  know, 
the  less  we  find  worth  bothering  ourselves  about. 
Knowledge  strips  the  gilding  and  the  flowers  from  our 
youthful  idols,  as  the  autumn  winds  strip  the  summer 
leaves  from  the  trees.  Is  it  meant  that  we  shall  never 
be  satisfied  with  anything,  in  order  to  keep  us  always 
busy  at  our  work?  But,  is  there  to  be  no  play,  no 
enjoyment,  after  it  all  ?  However,  I  can't  stop  longer 
to  philosophize  now." 

Gathering  up  his  reins  and  springing  into  the  saddle, 
Butler  urged  his  horse  afresh  down  the  rough  and 
steep  hill,  over  holes  and  sloughs  and  among  stumps 
and  stones  that  would  have  rendered  the  pace  perilous, 
but.  for  the  activity  of  the  animal,  and  the  quick  eye 
and  ready  hand  of  the  rider.  He  crossed  the  short 
level  of  the  table-land  that  lay  below,  and,  turning 
sharply  to  his  left,  struck  into  a  track  which  led  north- 
ward up  the  valley.  On  his  right,  the  river,  a  shallow 
and  rapid  stream  a  few  hundred  feet  wide,  meandered 
along  between  shores,  formed  sometimes  by  abrupt 
banks  scarped  by  the  elements  into  the  ribbed  and  fur- 
rowed slopes  peculiar  to  a  clayey  soil,  and  sometimes 
by  narrow  marshes,  niched  into  circuitous  sweeps  of 
upland.  Part  of  the  road  was  yet  covered  with  the 
original  forest ;  but,  here  and  there,  an  opening,  stud- 
ded all  over  still  with  charred  and  decaying  stumps, 
let  in  the  broad  sunlight  upon  the  fields  of  settlers. 


56  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  recent  clearings,  with  their  rude  buildings,  had 
but  little  to  gratify  the  eye,  except  the  always  stimu- 
lating presence  of  human  life  and  the  cheerful  promises 
of  industrious  enterprise.  The  beginnings  of  infant 
settlements  do  little  but  destroy  the  wild  magnificence 
and  rich  variety  of  the  natural  landscape,  without  com- 
pensating their  loss  by  the  gentler  graces  of  civilization, 
which  are  the  work  of  long  years  of  patient  labor. 
The  rough  ground  lies  -in  charred  and  rotting  ruin, 
while  the  influences  of  cultivation  are  scai'cely  percep- 
tible. Yet  these  simple  homes  of  future  comfort,  with 
their  rude  expedients  and  half  wild  outlines,  are  not 
devoid  of  a  picturesque  and  negligent  beauty. 

As  Butler  dashed,  almost  at  a  single  step  of  his 
horse,  from  the  heavy  shadows  and  gloomy  atmosphere 
of  the  woods  into  the  broad  sunshine  and  fresh,  spark- 
ling air  of  these  intervals,  now  growing  more  and  more 
frequent,  the  change  brought  a  sense  of  relief  and 
pleasure.  It  was  life  and  light  instead  of  dim  and 
death -like  stillness  ;  human  cheer  and  activity  for  the 
stern  and  silent  awe  of  the  woods.  He  recalled  to 
friendly  recollection  the  owners  of  the  older  home- 
steads, and  indulged  in  vague  and  rapid  surmises  as 
to  the  proprietorship  of  such  recent  improvements  as 
were  posterior  to  his  departure  from  the  neighborhood. 
But  he  did  not  stay  to  scrutinize  or  to  question,  but 
steadily  maintained  a  pace  that  soon  brought  him  to 
the  little  hamlet,  clustered  around  the  falls  at  the 
extreme  limits  of  the  flow  of  the  tide. 

The  impatient  youth  speeded  along,  unpausing  and 
almost  regardless,  past  many  familiar  objects.  Even 
at  the  corners  of  the  bridge,  where,  according  to  their 
daily  wont,  all  the  quidnuncs  of  the  village  were  col- 
lected, he  stopped  not  to  return,  except  by  a  hasty 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.          57 

nod,  the  surprised  recognition  of  some  and  the  gaping 
curiosity  of  others,  who  failed  to  recall  in  the  manly 
horseman  the  boy  of  four  years  ago.  The  deep  affec- 
tions of  home  were  swelling  in  his  Anglo-Saxon 
bosom  ;  and  he  could  not  and  would  not  draw  his  rein, 
till  he  flung  himself  from  the  saddle  at  the  door  of  the 
house  where  he  was  born. 

In  a  remote  place,  like  Merrifield,  so  many  miles 
from  anywhere,  in  those  days  of  circumscribed  loco- 
motion, the  arrival  of  a  stranger  was  an  event  of  univer- 
sal and  paramount  influence  upon  the  usual  monotony 
of  every  day.  As  a  pebble  which,  falling  into  the 
ocean,  is  swallowed  up  unnoticed  amid  the  surges  of 
the  mighty  flood,  creates,  when  thrown  into  a  duck- 
pond,  a  commotion  that  circles  ever  widening  to  its 
utmost  circumference,  the  sudden  appearance  of  their 
young  townsman  at  once  set  the  whole  community  into 
a  state  of  inexpressible  excitement.  Nothing  more 
was  done  for  the  day,  with  many,  but  to  speculate  upon 
his  appearance  and  the  purposes  of  his  return.  But 
we  shall  leave  the  little  public,  as  Butler  did,  to  re- 
cover its  usual  dull  equanimity  at  its  leisure. 


58  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  VII. 

BUTLER  reined  up  his  panting  horse  at  the  door-step, 
where  the  house-dog  lay  slumbering  before  the  thresh- 
old. Old  Watch  lifted  his  head  at  the  sudden  intru- 
sion, and  uttered  a  loud  and  hurried  bark,  like  a  senti- 
nel surprised  at  his  post,  and  discharging  his  musket 
to  announce  unexpected  danger.  But,  although  he 
promptly  rose  upon  his  feet  and  stood  sturdily  between 
the  new-comer  and  the  door,  he  neither  made  any 
further  demonstration  of  hostility  nor  repeated  his  an- 
gry challenge.  A  look  of  puzzled  intelligence  flashed 
over  his  honest  face  ;  and  his  half-joyous  and  half- 
suspicious  expression  showed  that  his  canine  brain  was 
busy  in  the  solution  of  an  interesting  question.  The 
traveller  stood  for  a  moment,  eying  the  shaggy  quad- 
ruped with  a  silent  smile  ;  while  the  dog,  in  his  turn, 
studied  his  features  with  a  perplexed  and  earnest  at- 
tention. Presently  his  tail  began  to  twitch  in  incipi- 
ent circles,  as  if  considering  the  propriety  of  wagging 
a  welcome  ;  and  the  earnest  gaze  brightened  and  grew 
in  intensity,  as  if  his  eyes  would  burst  with  their  pent- 
up  excitement.  A  low,  tremulous  whine  expressive 
of  his  agitation  at  length  overcoming  the  waiting  quiet 
of  his  partner  in  the  mute  conference,  the  latter  laid 
his  hand  upon  the  broad  forehead  which  pressed  up- 


A  TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.    59 

wards  sympathetically  to  his  touch,  and  spoke,  — 
"  Well,  old  playmate  —  do  you  remember  me,  or 
no?" 

The  question  was  solved,  the  laborious  doubt  was 
dissipated.  The  troubled  eyes  sparkled  with  unutter- 
able joy,  that  exploded  in  one  glad  bark  ;  the  tail,  no 
longer  hesitating,  swept  the  air,  as  if  it  would  swing 
itself  off  from  its  roots,  and  the  huge  dog,  rearing  on 
his  hind  legs,  laid  his  fore  paws  on  either  shoulder  of 
the  youth,  and  vented  his  overwhelming  pleasure  in 
a  broken  whine  of  immeasurable  delight.  Butler  in- 
dulged the  affectionate  animal,  for  a  moment,  in  his 
uncouth  embrace  ;  then,  gently  setting  him  down  into 
his  normal  quadrupedal  attitude,  said  with  a  moistened 
eye,  —  "  We'll  have  a  long  talk,  presently,  good  old 
fellow." 

Stopping  only  to  give  the  bridle  of  his  horse  into 
one  hand  of  a  man  who  hurried  forward  from  the  barn, 
while  he  briefly  shook  the  other  hard  and  sunburnt  fist 
thrust  out  to  him  in  unceremonious  but  cordial  wel- 
come, he  moved  hastily  towards  the  door. 

His  mother,  now  startled  from  the  revery  in  which 
we  left  her  immersed,  toddled  out  to  meet  him, 
ejaculating,  "  O,  forever  !  if  it  an't  our  James  !  " 

Butler  seized  her  extended  hands,  and  kissing  her 
on  both  cheeks  with  the  ardor  of  an  affectionate  son, 
led  her  back  to  her  chair. 

"  Well,  only  think  of  it !  Why,  James,  where  did 
you  come  from  ?  O,  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you  !  "  said 
his  mother,  her  eyes  twinkling  through  quiet  tears 
with  sudden  pleasure.  "  Why,  I  never  knew  you 
•were  coming  home  now  !  " 

"  Of  course  you  didn't,  mother;  for  I  thought  it 
best  not  to  write,  for  fear  you  should  amuse  yourself 


60  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  thinking  that  I  should  break  my  neck,  or  get 
drowned  on  the  way,  or  be  eaten  up  by  the  bears. 
So  I  stole  a.  march  upon  you,  and  hope  you  are  as 
glad  to  see  me  home  again  as  I  am  to  be  here.  You 
look  well,  dear  mother,"  added  he,  again  kissing  her 
cheek,  as  he  led  her  to  the  old-fashioned  arm-chair 
with  its  quilted  cushion,  and  sat  down  by  her  side. 

Dame  Butler  instinctively  took  up  her  knitting- work 
again  and  began  to  click  the  needles  together,  as  if 
there  was  nothing  but  her  unfinished  stocking  in  the 
wide  world.  But  her  eyes  soon  wandered  from  the 
work  to  the  face  of  her  only  child,  whom  she  really 
loved  with  a  deep  affection,  that  in  nobody  but  herself 
could  have  been  at  once  so  earnest  and  so  undemon- 
strative. 

"  O  my  !  how  you  are  grown,  James  !  I  shouldn't 
have  known  you.  You  are  as  big  as  your  father 
was,  —  only  not  so  fat." 

"  Not  quite,  I  think,  mother, — I  am  not  old  enough 
to  be  fat,  or  a  deacon  yet,"  replied  her  son,  laughing. 

"  Well,  I  hope  you  will  live  to  be,  James, —  I  mean 
a  deacon, —  I  don't  care  about  the  fat ;  I  like  your 
looks  very  well  as  you  are." 

"  Thank  you,  mother.  I  mean  to  stay  at  home 
with  you  now  ;  and  perhaps  I  will  try  for  the  dea- 
conship,  if  it  will  please  you.  But  I  am  scarcely  so- 
ber enough  yet.  But  why  don't  you  ask  about  Uncle 
John  and  all  of  them  ?  " 

"  La,  now,  I  forgot  all  about  it.  You've  flustered  me 
to  d^eath.  How  do  they  all  do  ?  " 

"  They  are  quite  well,  and  send  lots  of  love.  Uncle 
says  he  will  try  to  come  down  and  see  you  next  sea- 
son. I  wanted  him  to  come  with  me,  but  he  was  too 
busy,  as  he  always  is." 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  61 

"  Well,  did  you  say  you  were  going  to  stay  with 
us  now,  for  good,  my  son  ?  " 

"  Yes,  mother,  if  it  suits  you.  I  have  tried  city 
life  long  enough.  Uncle  John  has  been  very  kind, 
and  makes  generous  offers ;  but  I  don't  think  it  very 
important  to  make  a  large  fortune.  Do  you  mother  ?  " 

"Well,  I  don't  know, —  some  thinks  so  and  some 
doesn't,"  oracularly  replied  she  ;  for  she  would  as 
soon  have  thought  of  solving  the  quadrature  of  the 
circle  as  the  question  proposed. 

"  We'll  talk  over  my  plans  by  and  by,  mother.  I 
think  you  will  let  me  do  pretty  much  as  I  please. 
But  what's  the  news  in  the  village  ?  You  know  I 
have  been  gone  a  long  time." 

"  The  news  —  dear  me  !  You've  put  everything 
clear  out  of  my  head.  Did  I  tell  you  about  old  Brin- 
dle's  calf?  I  don't  think  I  did  —  it  was  after  I  wrote 
my  last  letter,  I  believe  ;  for  I  remember  I  was  putting 
down  my  first  butter  the  day  I  sent  the  letter.  By 
the  way,  you  haven't  told  me  if  you  ever  got  it  —  I'm 
sure  I  don't  see  how  anything  ever  gets  safe,  clear  to 
Boston.  Well,  it's  a  nice  calf.  And  Mrs.  Campbell 
has  got  a  little  girl.  They  say  it's  a  beautiful  baby, 
but  I  haven't  seen  it.  Then  we've  got  a  litter  of 
pigs  that's  four  weeks  old  next  Wednesday.  There's 
six  of  'em.  And  old  Mrs.  Daighton  has  had  the  rheu- 
matiz  dreadfully  —  she  hasn't  been  to  meeting  for  a 
long  time.  They  say  her  husband's  built  him  a  new 
barn  too  ;  but  I  haven't  seen  it,  for  I  haven't  been 
up  that  way  this  great  while.  Well,  I  declare  I  can't 
tell  what  has  happened,  I'm  so  dreadful  glad  to  see 
you." 

"Never  mind,  mother, —  you'll  think  of  it  all  in 
good  time.  But  how  are  all  the  youngsters  ?  How 


62  SAM  SHIRK: 

are  my  old  playmates,  Archie  Campbell,  Harry  Nich- 
ols, and  the  rest  ?  " 

"  O,  they're  all  well  enough,  I  believe.  But  they 
do  say  some  of  'em  are  shocking  wild.  Old  Mrs. 
Small  told  me,  only  last  week,  that  the  young  men 
went  all  round  Saturday  nights  as  much  as  any  other 
night.  I  wonder  what  your  father  would  have  said  ! 
I  don't  believe  he  ever  went  anywhere  of  a  Saturday 
night  in  all  his  born  days,  unless  it  was  to  a  meeting. 
I  don't  know  what  folks'll  do  next." 

"O  mother,  don't  worry, —  they'll  grow  steady  fast 
enough.  Old  Mrs.  Small  is  apt  to  know  more  about 
her  neighbors'  business  than  she  needs  to  do.  Isn't 
there  anything  less  portentous  that  I  should  like  to 
hear?" 

His  mother  proceeded  to  enlighten  young  Butler 
upon  the  statistics  of  the  village  in  an  odd  jumble  of 
the  details  of  her  own  household  and  the  petty  events 
that  constitute  the  staple  of  gossip  in  sequestered  com- 
munities ;  among  which  figured  conspicuously  the  par- 
ticulars of  all  the  maladies  that  had  afflicted  Merrifield 
for  an  indefinite  period  of  its  history.  Measles  and 
whooping-coughs,  fevers  and  dysenteries,  were  de- 
scribed with  a  minuteness  to  furnish  materials  for  a 
complete  sanitary  report.  Occasional  digressions  upon 
pigs  and  poultry,  and  spinning  and  weaving  operations, 
filled  up  the  sketch  of  the  old  lady's  reminiscences. 
To  all  these  matters  her  auditor  listened  with  an  air 
of  indifference,  as  if  respect  for  the  narrator  alone  pre- 
vented the  avowal  of  their  lack  of  importance  in  his 
eyes.  Still,  with  apparent  inconsistency,  he  continued 
to  provoke  by  questions  the  occasionally  interrupted 
flow  of  the  narrative.  Perhaps  James's  notion  was 
that  it  afforded  pleasure  to  his  mother ;  perhaps  he 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.          63 

hoped  that  some  yet  untold  matter  of  deeper  interest 
might  be  forthcoming  among  the  motley  groupings  of 
the  matron's  memory.  However  this  might  be,  the 
listless  air  of  unconcern  that  had  settled  upon  his  fea- 
tures, in  spite  of  him,  was  superseded  by  an  expres- 
sion of  trifling  awkwardness,  as  he  finally  interrupted 
a  resume*  of  a  case  of  consumption  that  might  have 
have  made  the  reputation  of  a  young  dispensary  phy- 
sician, by  an  abrupt  question  that  showed  a  sad  want 
of  sympathy. 

"  Well,  mother,  I'm  no  doctor,  neither  do  I  de- 
sire to  be  one.  But  you  said  awhile  ago  that  old  Mrs. 
Small  thought  the  boys  were  in  a  bad  way  :  how  is  it 
with  the  girls  ?  are  they  all  dead  or  married  ?  " 

"  I  rather  think  not,  my  son,"  replied  the  old  lady, 
smiling,  as  she  looked  over  her  spectacles  at  James. 
Now,  if  she  had  looked  through  her  spectacles,  she 
might  have  seen  that  a  slight  flush  spread  over  his 
cheeks  in  answer  to  her  smile.  But  those  useful  aux- 
iliaries had  been  dropped  half-way  down  her  nose,  as 
she  sat  at  her  knitting,  and  she  did  not  observe  it.  But, 
in  reply,  she  started  off  in  a  rambling  commentary 
upon  numbers  of  Janes  and  Hannahs,  Elviras,  Sarahs, 
and  Deborahs,  even  including  the  matrimonial  for- 
tunes of  a  pretty  young  squaw  among  the  aristocracy 
of  the  neighboring  tribe  of  Passamaquoddies,  whose 
wedding  had  lately  been  celebrated  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, according  to  aboriginal  ritual.  But,  although 
he  had  himself  sought  the  information,  it  seemed  all  to 
fall  upon  James's  ears  with  as  little  effect  as  the  catnip 
teas,  and  decoctions  of  liverwort.  The  dame  came 
once  more  to  a  stand,  as  if  the  romantic  elements  of 
Merrifield  annals  were  exhausted.  After  a  short 
pause,  she  added,  by  way  of  epilogue  to  the  record  of 


64  SAM  SHIRK: 

the  Court  of  Love,  "  They  say  Polly  Wood  spun 
more  yarn  last  winter  than  any  two  girls  in  Merrifield. 
I  won't  undertake  to  say  how  many  hanks  it  was." 

"  Indeed,  mother !  "  observed  the  young  man, 
rather  coolly ;  and  bending  down  his  head,  because  he 
was  very  much  occupied  in  playing  with  the  old  pus- 
sy's ears,  just  then,  he  added,  "  But  where's  Mary 
Wilmot,  mother  ?  You  say  nothing  about  her." 

This  little  interrogatory  came  out  of  James's  throat 
very  much  as  the  potato  wad  snaps  out  of  a  boy's  pop- 
gun. Mrs.  Butler's  damsel,  who  was  busy  at  the  other 
end  of  the  room  about  household  affairs,  but  had  not 
thought  it  necessary  rigidly  to  close  her  ears  to  the 
conversation,  shrugged  her  shoulders  slightly,  and, 
having  her  back  to  the  interlocutors,  further  indulged 
in  a  decided  smile.  The  widow,  however,  taking  no 
heed  of  the  manner  in  which  the  question  was  asked, 
replied  to  it :  "  O  !  Mary  Wilmot's  been  away  at  an 
uncle's,  that  lives  somewhere  on  the  Kennebec,  for 
nearly  a  year.  That's  why  I  never  thought  of  her,  I 
suppose.  They  say  she  is  going  to  marry  a  young 
minister  there." 

The  spectacles  were  still  off  duty,  and  Mrs.  But- 
ler, moreover,  very  intent  upon  her  knitting.  James, 
too,  was  busier  than  ever  with  the  cat's  ears,  and  his 
head  dropped  even  lower  than  before.  The  maiden 
across  the  room  shrugged  her  shoulders  again,  but  she 
did  not  smile.  James  made  no  direct  reply,  and  grew 
very  sententious  and  brief,  till  his  mother  had  the  con- 
versation pretty  much  to  herself.  This  seemed  to 
make  little  difference  to  her.  She  rambled  on,  string- 
ing together  all  sorts  of  matters,  as  they  came  to  hand. 
At  last,  perceiving  that  her  son's  attention  flagged, 
she  rose  to  overlook  the  preparations  for  dinner. 


A   TALE   OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  65 

"  I  suppose  these  matters  don't  seem  much  to  you, 
James,  after  living  so  long  in  Boston." 

James  made  no  answer  to  the  implied  question,  but 
took  up  his  cap,  saying  that  he  would  walk  round  and 
take  a  look  at  the  farm  before  dinner. 


66  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

WE  have  already  said  that  Butler  had  been  long  ab- 
sent from  the  village  where  his  childhood  had  passed. 
His  father  had  died  several  years  before,  and  his 
mother  gladly  accepted  the  kind  offer  of  her  brother, 
a  merchant  of  note  in  Boston,  to  receive  young  James 
into  his  family  and  business  also  at  a  future  day.  It 
pained  the  widow  to  part  with  her  only  child,  but 
the  advantage  to  her  son's  education  and  prospects  was 
not  to  be  overlooked.  She  therefore  dispatched  him 
for  a  journey  which,  in  the  state  of  the  country  then, 
was  a  matter  of  no  small  moment,  especially  to  her 
mind. 

For  four  years,  James  had  remained  with  his  uncle. 
Two  of  them  were  devoted  to  completing  his  studies, 
which  had  necessarily  been  limited  and  desultory,  and 
the  other  two  spent  in  the  counting-room  of  his  relation, 
and  in  reading  and  the  investigation  of  such  matters  as 
arrested  his  attention.  He  had  left  his  home  a  strong, 
manly,  and  energetic  boy,  but  rather  behindhand  in 
mere  scholastic  attainments,  but  perhaps  little  the 
worse  for  that. 

The  want  of  the  drill  usually  bestowed  on  children 
in  preparatory  schools  is,  after  all,  no  great  loss,  at 
least  to  strong  and  active  intellects.  Give  a  promising 
boy  sufficient  early  instruction  to  enable  him  to  read, 
to  calculate,  and  think  for  himself,  and  you  will  have 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.          67 

done  for  him  all  that  would  be  absolutely  necessary, 
and  most  that  will  be  especially  profitable,  until  the 
mind  matui'es  sufficiently  to  appreciate,  for  itself,  the 
value  of  information  and  the  use  of  principles.  Except 
in  rare  cases,  a  child  cannot  be  expected  to  be  an  ear- 
nest student,  and  very  many  of  the  exceptions  to  the 
general  rule  prove  to  be  unfortunate.  To  the  active, 
healthy  child,  the  lesson  cannot  fail  to  be  literally  a 
task,  whose  meaning  and  real  purpose  he  does  not 
comprehend.  It  is  a  burden  antagonistic  to  the  in- 
stincts and  physical  necessities  of  his  being.  Nature 
says,  "  Go  play,  and  grow  healthy,  robust,  and  active. 
Go  and  fit  yourself  for  the  common  toils  of  manhood. 
Go  and  learn  the  external  features  at  least  of  the  world 
in  which  you  are  to  live  and  of  the  materials  with 
which  you  are  to  deal." 

But  father  and  fashion  say,  "  Go  to  school,  study, 
learn  ;  if  you  do  not,  you  can  never  be  anything."  Now 
father  and  fashion  are  right,  in  a  measure.  Knowl- 
edge and  education  are  the  great  means  of  happiness 
and  success.  But  there  is  still  an  open  question  of  the 
modes,  the  times,  and  the  degrees.  All  education  is 
not  to  be  got  in  schools,  nor  all  knowledge  from  books. 
The  first  requisites  of  humanity  are  health  and  strength. 
Without  these,  accomplishments  and  acquirements  are 
unsatisfactory  to  their  possessor,  and  comparatively  use- 
less to  the  world.  The  mind  is  even  often  dwarfed 
and  blunted  by  this  premature  discipline,  as  well  as 
dragged  down  and  enfeebled  by  its  sympathy  with 
puny  and  diseased  frames. 

Let  children  learn  to  read,  and  more  if  they  will. 
But  let  them  have  plenty  of  play  and  light  work  suited 
to  their  years.  Be  they  boy  or  girl,  let  them  walk, 
ride,  swim,  skate,  and  mix  with  all  that  is  going  on 


68  SAM  SHIRK: 

about  them.  Then,  at  twelve  or  thirteen  years  of  age, 
you  will  have  a  foundation,  intellectual,  moral,  and 
physical,  upon  which  to  form  a  true,  useful,  and  effi- 
cient rnan  or  woman. 

James  Butler  was  a  favorable  illustration  of  this  fact. 
His  clear  mind  soon  mastered  the  very  moderate 
amount  of  school  instruction  attainable  at  Merrifield. 
His  spare  time  and  energies  were  expended  in  hunting, 
fishing,  riding,  and  intelligent  observation  of  men  and 
things.  To  some,  such  a  course  of  life  might  have  had 
its  dangers  ;  but  he  left  his  home,  for  the  metropolis 
of  New  England,  an  energetic,  high-minded,  and  keen- 
sighted  lad,  ready  for  any  exertion  of  mind  or  body. 
He  rapidly  acquired  at  the  academy  the  formulas  of 
elementary  knowledge,  and  in  the  period  passed  in  the 
counting-room  he  applied  them  sagaciously  and  suc- 
cessfully to  practice  ;  employing  also  his  leisure  hours 
in  a  diligent  course  of  general  reading.  He  thus  re- 
turned home,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  an  able  and 
well-informed  man.  Indeed,  his  acquirements  might 
bear  favorable  comparison  with  any  but  proficients  in 
a  finished  course  of  classical  studies.  In  that  early 
day,  there  were  few  who  attempted  an  education  so 
ambitious.  Unless  intended  for  the  learned  professions 
as  the  business  of  their  lives,  the  youths  of  the  time 
were  seldom  able  or  willing  to  meet  the  expenditure 
and  trouble.  The  exigencies  of  a  new  country  called 
them  early  into  the  active  duties  of  life. 

Thus,  James,  imperfect  as  this  training  might  now 
be  considered,  was  fitted  amply  to  follow  the  prompt- 
ings of  an  active  mind  in  the  successful  maintenance 
of  a  leading  part  in  society. 

It  may  be  seriously  doubted  whether  a  carefully  fin- 
ished and  elaborate  culture  is,  altogether,  the  best  mode 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  69 

of  obtaining  "assurance  of  a  man,"  —  a  man  fitted 
to  grapple  with  circumstances  and  fulfil  the  heavy 
tasks  of  time.  It  gives  the  delicate  edge  and  temper 
of  Saladin's  scimetar,  rather  than  the  downright  and 
stalwart  sweep  of  the  sword  of  the  Lion  Heart.  To 
the  systematic  scholar,  to  the  professional  and  scientific 
man,  it  is  essential  ;  to  the  European  classes  of  hered- 
itary wealth  and  ease,  it  is  an  appropriate  and  becom- 
ing ornament.  But,  in  the  common  course  of  our 
more  democratic  experience,  there  are  more  iron  bars 
than  down  cushions  to  be  dealt  withal.  However  this 
abstruse  point  may  be  settled,  Dame  Butler  looked 
upon  her  son  with  a  pride  and  affection  that  could  not 
very  well  admit  of  increase.  His  acquirements  and 
experience,  moderate  though  they  might  be,  tran- 
scended all  her  means  of  comparison,  so  that  they  were, 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  infinite  to  her.  From  the 
time  of  his  return,  the  sceptre  passed  from  the  hands 
of  Deacon  Hardy  to  those  of  its  legitimate  heir  in  the 
household.  Out-of-doors,  too,  James's  influence  soon 
superseded,  to  a  great  extent,  the  ascetic  and  unpopu- 
lar ascendency  of  that  ungenial  dignitary. 

None  of  these  speculations,  however,  occupied 
James's  mind,  as  he  proceeded  on  his  walk.  Although 
he  had  professed  the  natural  desire  to  look  round  upon 
the  well-remembered  scenes  of  his  childhood  once 
more,  his  curiosity  appeared  to  be  easily  appeased. 
He  paused  a  moment  on  the  step,  cast  a  hasty  glance 
upon  the  village  and  the  little  river,  and  then,  turning 
short  to  the  rear  of  the  house,  hurried  off  through  the 

O 

fields  and  pastures  towards  the  high  ridge  that  bounded 
the  valley  on  its  western  side,  stretching  its  massive 
length  along  till  it  terminated  in  the  cliffs  of  a  rocky 
promontory  on  the  sea-coast.  His  rapid  steps  soon 


70  SAM  SHIRK: 

carried  him,  through  the  little  belt  of  cultivation  that 
surrounded  the  village,  into  a  desolate  region,  where 
the  natural  growth  had  fallen  before  the  fires  kindled 
to  clear  the  farming  lands,  without  being  replaced  by 
the  tamer  and  softer  beauties  of  a  landscape  improved 
by  human  industry.  The  bald  ledges  on  the  summits 
gleamed  out,  barren  and  dreary,  and  stripped  of  the 
mossy  carpet  and  the  withered  leaves  that  had  once 
partly  concealed  their  sterile  ugliness.  The  wreck  of 
the  forest,  that  once  covered  the  rough  ground,  lay  pros- 
trate around  in  all  stages  of  decay  ;  forming  a  laby- 
rinth of  ruin,  black  with  the  uneffaced  marks  of  the 
destroying  element,  or  bleaching  beneath  the  sunshine 
and  the  storm.  Here  and  there,  among  these  wasting 
skeletons,  a  tall  trunk  still  rose,  withered  and  branch- 
less, lone  sentinel  above  its  fallen  comrades.  Occa- 
sionally a  swamp  relieved  the  utter  barrenness  of  the 
scene  with  a  patch  of  verdure,  where  alder- bushes  were 
interspersed  with  straggling  trees  that  still  maintained 
a  miserable  and  blighted  vegetation.  It  was,  as  it  were, 
the  grave-yard  of  the  native  forest,  —  such  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  vicinity  of  all  new  settlements,  smutty, 
dank,  inhospitable,  and  cheerless. 

The  melancholy  landscape  had  one  redeeming  fea- 
ture ;  the  destruction  of  the  trees  had  laid  open  a  wide 
prospect  to  the  southward,  and  the  distant  Atlantic  glis- 
tened in  the  bright  sunshine.  The  harbor  at  the  riv- 
er's mouth  was  distinctly  seen  through  the  clear  at- 
mosphere, with  its  little  fleet  of  coasting  vessels  lying 
at  anchor,  and  the  white  sails  of  fishing-boats  skimming 
over  the  bay,  among  islands  clothed  with  dark  spruces. 
On  one  side,  lay  the  valley  of  the  Narraguagus  with 
the  rude  dwellings  scattered  up  and  down  its  banks. 
Elsewhere,  the  deep  fringe  of  forest  bordered  the 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  71 

view,  with  the  blue  hills  and  craggy  mountains  rising 
all  around  from  its  unbroken  sea  of  green. 

James  seated  himself  upon  a  fallen  trunk  ;  and  the 
old  house-dog,  who  had  been  anxiously  awaiting. his 
reappearance,  ever  since  their  short  colloquy  in  the 
morning,  and  had  escorted  his  steps  with  gambols  of 
overrunning  happiness,  lay  down  quietly  in  front  of 
him,  —  his  head  nestled  upon  his  master's  feet,  except 
when  it  was  raised  now  and  then  with  a  look  of  deep 
content,  as  if  to  reassure  himself  that  the  sudden 
restoration  of  his  old  playmate  was  not  the  illusion 
of  a  dream. 

Butler  gazed  for  a  moment  upon  the  familiar  scene  ; 
his  own  reflections  then  seemed  to  take  complete  pos- 
session of  his  mind  ;  and  though  he  looked  listlessly 
over  the  prospect,  he  saw  nothing  but  what  lay  in  his 
own  heart. 

He  had  carried  with  him  to  the  far-off  city  fond 
recollections  of  the  woods  and  lakes,  the  rivers  and 
mountains  of  his  rugged  but  picturesque  birthplace. 
In  a  sacred  and  warm  corner  of  his  memory  too,  the 
image  of  a  fair  and  graceful  girl,  his  favorite  playmate 
in  childhood  and  the  idol  of  the  dawning  passions  of 
his  youth,  had  accompanied  him  in  his  pilgrimage. 
The  busy  and  brilliant  scenes  of  the  town  had  failed 
to  wean  him  from  his  love  of  the  rough  grandeur  and 
romantic  beauty  of  his  native  valley ;  and  the  polished 
belles  of  the  metropolis  never  superseded  in  his  fancy 
the  image  of  the  frank  and  cordial  girl  that  had  been 
the  romance  of  his  early  life.  For  he  was  one  of 
those  who  make  their  own  world  ;  and  impassive  to 
the  distraction  of  passing  objects,  adhere  tenaciously 
to  everything  once  intimately  associated  with  their  life. 
When  he  determined  to  give  up  the  hopes  of  wealth 


72  SAN  SHIRK: 

and  social  distinction  held  out  to  his  ambition  in  the  busy 
world,  for  the  simple  pleasures  of  his  secluded  home, 
it  was  the  bright  memory  of  Mary  Wilmot  that  shed 
the  golden  sunshine  over  his  anticipations.  Her  well- 
remembered  form  seemed  to  beckon  him  back  to  spend 
his  life  in  unaspiring  content  among  the  scenes  of  his 
childhood.  In  the  bashful  timidity  of  deep  feeling  he 
had  lured  his  mother  on  through  her  rambling  remi- 
niscences, in  the  vain  expectation  of  hearing  of  her  — 
unaltered  in  herself,  unchanged  to  him. 

When,  in  answer  to  his  reluctant  question,  he  heard 
the  brief  but  decisive  fact  that  she  was  absent  and  had 
given  herself  to  another,  the  revulsion  of  his  feelings 
was  painful  and  bitter.  He  had  turned  his  back  upon 
flowery  paths  and  bright  prospects,  to  find  the  charmed 
retreat  of  contented  love  which  his  fancy  had  framed, 
the  life-long  home  of  his  affections,  blighted  by  a  with- 
ering frost  that  turned  all  its  beautiful  blossoms  of  hope 
into  black  despair.  He  had  pushed  his  journey 
homeward  with  eager  haste.  Overtaken  by  night, 
some  dozen  miles  from  Merrifield,  he  had  scarcely 
closed  his  eyes ;  and  early  dawn  found  him  in  the  sad- 
dle, speeding  to  his  goal.  The  familiar  landscape 
shone  bright  to  his  vision  in  the  glad  June  morning ; 
and  happy  associations  shed  a  light  about  him  more 
cheering  than  that  of  the  summer  day.  But  now  his 
spirit  was  darkened,  and  it  seemed  as  if  a  dull  leaden 
cloud  had  overspread  the  smiling  scene. 

He  pondered  gloomily  over  the  sudden  chill  that 
had  struck  him  to  the  heart.  The  old  dog  raised  him- 
self from  time  to  time  to  lick  his  hand  in  disconsolate 
but  vague  sympathy  with  his  moody  silence  ;  and  laid 
down  again  in  quiet  disappointment,  as  he  missed  the 
usual  acknowledgment  of  his  faithful  affection. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.          73 

"  What  a  fool  was  I,"  —  murmured  Butler  to  him- 
self, —  "  to  suppose  that,  because  I  had  never  forgotten 
her,  she  must  necessarily  have  treasured  me  in  her 
heart.  Perhaps  she  never  thought  again  of  our  child- 
ish friendship,  or  thought  of  it  only  as  a  pleasant  pas- 
time, that  had  gone  by  and  served  its  turn.  And  now 
she  is  to  marry  a  long-faced,  white-era vated  parson  !  — 
a  nice  sort  of  a  rival !  Well,  I  have  nothing  to  do 
but  to  forget  too.  If  I  find  it  too  hard  work,  I'll  go 
back  to  Boston,  make  a  fortune  and  marry  some  Wash- 
ington Street  beauty.  They're  to  be  had  for  a  price, 
like  everything  else.  If  I  cannot  venture  on  my 
personal  merits,  I  can  buy  a  wife  '  to  order.' '  With 
this  ingeniously  contrived  revenge,  he  fancied  himself 
somewhat  comforted.  As  he  looked  up,  poor  Watch 
lifted  his  own  head  once  more,  and  silently  licking  his 
hand,  gazed,  with  a  look  of  anxious  love  that  yearned 
to  be  recognized,  into  his  face.  The  youth  smiled, 
though  somewhat  bitterly,  upon  his  humble  companion, 
and  kindly  patted  his  shaggy  head. 

"  Ah,  good  old  Watch,  you  didn't  forget  me,  did 
you  !  Because  you're  only  a  dog,  I  suppose,  and  not 
a  man  or  a  woman.  How  many  of  us  are  as  disin- 
terested and  true  as  you  ?  " 

So  he  rose  from  his  seat,  jerked  a  stone  at  a  squirrel 
that  was  rambling  about  among  the  brushwood,  and 
consulting  his  watch,  found  that  dinner  would  be  ready 
by  the  time  he  should  reach  home.  His  companion, 
rejoiced  at  the  dispersal  of  the  cloud,  gamboled  joy- 
fully along  at  his  side,  and  they  turned  their  steps 
toward  the  house  again. 


74  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  IX. 

BUTLER  was  candid  and  generous,  though  clear- 
headed and  shrewd.  He  saw  plainly  the  deficiencies 
and  imperfections  around  him ;  but  he  had  too  much 
good  feeling  and  high  impulse,  to  be  either  morose  and 
ascetic,  or  selfish  and  exacting.  He  knew  his  own 
rights  and  interests,  but  he  was  neither  bitter  at  en- 
croachment or  denial  of  them,  nor  overbearing  or 
egotistic  in  their  assertion.  His  sympathies  were  too 
strong  to  allow  him  to  be  unkind,  and  his  sense  of 
right  too  great  to  permit  him  to  be  unjust.  He  was 
not  unimaginative,  and  he  was  moderately  sanguine  ; 
and  therefore  more  inclined  to  overrate  than  to  depre- 
ciate what  he  could  find  of  good.  It  was  easier  for 
him  to  be  amiable  than  censorious ;  though  not  from 
lack  of  acute  discrimination.  His  heart  revolted  from 
intentional  wrong,  and  his  intellect  scorned  it  as  a 
meanness  that  insulted  his  self-respect.  Deeply  as 
he  felt  the  capriciousness  of  Mary  Wilmot,  he  did  not 
attempt  to  resent  it  seriously,  though  his  self-love 
could  not  but  be  deeply  wounded.  She  had  been 
throned  in  his  memory  as  a  queen,  invested  with  all 
her  own  real  worth,  and  all  the  impossible  perfections 
of  a  lover's  fancy.  Though  she  was  his  no  longer,  he 
was  loyal  still.  Though  compelled  to  relinquish  her, 
he  found  no  satisfaction  in  depreciating  her  merits, 
or  disparaging  her  conduct.  His  boyish  fancy  had 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.  75 

strength  sufficient  to  survive  a  long  separation,  during 
which,  it  had  perhaps  been  increased  by  the  power  of 
association  and  imagination,  —  those  potent  influences 
having  never  been  diverted  to  any  new  object  of 
attraction.  Still  there  was  in  the  predilection,  pure 
and  generous  and  unbroken  as  it  was,  none  of  the 
vehemence  of  maturer  passion  ;  and  its  disappointment 
brought  with  it  none  of  the  bitterness  of  a  sterner 
mood.  It  would  have  readily  developed  into  fierce 
heat,  but  it  had  not  yet  done  so  ;  and  was  still  but  the 
milder  glow  of  youthful  fancy.  Butler  moreover  con- 
cluded within  himself  that  his  chances  might  not  yet 
be  desperate.  The  information  might  be  incorrect, 
and  an  allowable  vanity  whispered  that  Mary  Wilmot 
might  have  more  taste  and  discrimination  than  she  had 
been  credited  with.  His  buoyancy  revived  as  he 
approached  home  ;  and  as  he  looked  down  the  long, 
rough  slopes  that  led  to  the  river  and  the  village 
streets  that  ran  along  its  banks,  he  felt  ready  almost  to 
stop  and  shake  hands  with  every  straggling  tree,  and 
smile  his  recognition  upon  every  stump  upon  the  well- 
remembered  ground.  At  last,  he  wound  up  with  a 
race  and  a  romp  with  old  Watch,  as  boisterous  and 
merry  as  in  the  childish  days  gone  by. 

"  How  strange,"  thought  he,  "  are  some  of  our 
feelings !  Why  should  I  look  upon  this  half-savage 
landscape,  and  this  dull  little  village  with  such  a 
boyish  delight,  for  which  I  could  not  give  a  respectable 
reason,  if  I  should  die  for  it  ?  And  yet,  after  all,  why 
need  there  be  any  reason  at  all  about  it  ?  It's  my  home, 
and  it  suits  me  ;  and  why  not  ?  There's  something 
in  us  better  than  reason ;  and  it's  lucky  for  us  that  it's 
stronger  too,  or  life  would  be  about  as  interesting  as 
one  of  Uncle  John's  russia-backed  ledgers.  This  is  my 


76  SAM  SHIRK: 

home  and  that's  my  house,  and  in  it  is  my  dear  good 
old  mother.  There's  no  syllogism  in  Aristotle  comes 
to  a  conclusion  half  so  convincing  as  that." 

This  scrap  of  philosophy  brought  James  to  his  own 
door.  After  a  gentle  reproach  from  his  mother  on  the 
score  of  jeopardizing  by  tardiness  the  perfection  of  her 
culinary  labors,  he  sat  down  with  a  light  and  grateful 
heart  at  the  old-fashioned  'mahogany  table,  that  had 
been  in  his  young  eyes  at  once  a  wonder  and  a  daily 
joy.  The  subsidiary  accompaniments  of  his  claw- 
footed  friend,  were  equally  familiar  and  equally  dear. 
There  were  the  old  china  plates  with  their  grotesque 
jumble  of  a  pattern,  where  boats  and  bridges,  trees, 
rivers,  and  clouds  were  combined  in  a  manner  that  no 
one  ever  could  have  devised  but  that  same  Chinaman 
with  the  umbrella  hat  and  pig-tail,  that  stood  on  one 
shore  of  the  river,  as  tall  as  the  pagoda  at  his  elbow  ; 
with  his  feet  at  the  foot  of  a  hill,  and  his  head  in  the 
clouds  above  it.  There  was  the  old  fat-bellied  little 
silver  teapot,  with  the  nose  sticking  out  one  way,  and 
the  handle  rounded  out  on  the  other ;  looking,  on  its 
straddling  legs,  like  a  corpulent  hen  running  after  a 
grasshopper.  Old  and  long-valued  acquaintances  were 
these,  as  well  as  their  companion  utensils  of  minor 
pretensions.  The  benign,  placid,  and  affectionate  face, 
that  smiled  on  him  as  of  yore  across  the  table,  all 
these  young  Butler  would  not  have  exchanged  for  a 
monarch's  board,  or  for  more  than  regal  magnificence. 
Indeed,  he  would  have  been  very  ungrateful  to  have 
been  less  than  content ;  for  infinite  had  been  the  com- 
*motion  caused  by  his  unexpected  arrival,  in  the  quiet 
little  household.  His  mother  had  spent  the  livelong 
morning,  with  her  zealous  coadjutor,  in  emulous  dili- 
gence to  expand  the  noon-day  meal  into  a  style  and 


77 

pretension  worthy  of  the  joyful  occasion.  Cupboards 
had  been  ransacked ;  and  preserve-pots,  with  all  other 
treasure-houses  of  extraordinary  luxury,  had  con- 
tributed to  the  entertainment.  In  new  countries, 
people  cannot  often  obtain  just  what  they  please,  and 
are  obliged  to  take  things  somewhat  as  they  happen  to 
come.  The  delicate  distinctions  and  nice  etiquette  of 
fashionable  gourmandism  might  have  been  shocked  at 
the  widow's  dinner-table.  Yet  it  was,  as  the  good 
lady  flattered  herself,  excellent  in  kind,  and  abundant 
in  quantity  and  variety.  To  fastidious  and  highly 
trained  tastes  it  might  have  seemed  too  multifarious 

O 

and  indiscriminate.  There  were  the  pair  of  fat  roasted 
partridges,  plump  and  fragrant  with  the  flavor  of  wild 
berries  and  tender  buds,  the  rich  and  succulent  steaks 
of  venison,  and  the  delicious  salmon  trout,  fresh  and 
pure  to  the  taste  as  the  mountain  brook  where  they 
grew,  and  fried  to  the  very  perfection  of  crispy  brown. 
To  these  fundamental  elements  of  the  feast,  the  hos- 
pitable matron  had  added  a  host  of  pies,  cakes,  and 
doughnuts  and  fritters,  with  cheese,  butter,  preserves 
of  strawberry,  cranberry,  blackberry,  and  raspberry, 
each  in  its  separate  saucer,  as  if  it  were  a  world's  fair 
of  culinary  art,  as  practiced  in  that  forest  neighborhood. 
The  mantling  steam  of  the  delicate  infusion  of  tea 
poured  out  its  fragrance  from  the  hen-like  silver  pot, 
and  rich  cream  and  snowy  sugar  stood  ready  to  en- 
hance and  mellow  its  exquisite  flavor. 

With  pride  and  pleasure  the  widow  surveyed  her 
crowded  board,  as  her  darling  son  placed  himself  once 
more  in  his  father's  chair  at  its  side.  Had  her  re- 
sources comprised  as  much  more,  it  would,  as  like  as 
not,  have  been  added  to  this  avalanche  of  dainties. 

In  the  earlier  days  of  New  England,  wholesome  and 


78  SAM  SHIRK: 

palatable  viands  were  more  plentiful  than  formal 
courtesies,  elaborate  elegancies,  or  splendid  apparatus. 
The  warm-hearted  housewives  of  that  day  were  led, 
therefore,  to  express  their  good-will  to  visitors  in  the 
form  most  palpable  to  their  simple  habits  of  thought 
and  life  ;  and  the  extent  of  the  welcome  was  indicated, 
in  some  measure,  by  the  profusion  of  hospitable  prep- 
aration. 

Too  happy  herself  to  eat,  Mrs.  Butler  devoted  her- 
self to  piling  portion  after  portion  upon  her  son's  plate, 
chiding  him  gently  for  not  eating,  wondering  that  he 
had  no  appetite,  and  pressing  upon  him,  in  due  succes- 
sion, every  dish  of  her  profuse  banquet. 

Youthful  appetite  and  recent  exercise  enabled  her 
son  to  do  admirable  credit  to  the  cookery.  But,  at 
last,  after  playing  with  the  various  relays  of  preserves, 
cakes,  and  other  condiments,  which  the  widow  seemed 
to  think  might  be  insinuated  into  a  full  stomach,  — 
as  the  sailor  crams  what  he  calls  dunnage  into  the 
crevices  and  interstices  of  his  lading,  —  he  was  com- 
pelled to  make  a  formal  protest  of  his  inability  to 
dispose  of  another  mouthful. 

"  Why,  dear  mother,  I  should  think  you  supposed 
that  I  had  gone  hungry  for  a  week  past,  and  was  in 
danger  of  getting  no  more  for  a  week  to  come.  You 
must  really  save  the  rest  for  another  time." 

At  this  moment,  his  mother's  officious  kindness  was 
interrupted  by  a  knock  at  the  door,  followed  immedi- 
ately by  the  appearance  of  Deacon  Hardy  ;  who  had 
dropped  in,  as  he  came  by  from  his  own  noonday 
meal,  to  welcome  Butler  home,  and  also  to  satisfy 
some  little  private  ends  of  his  own. 

The  Deacon  shook  hands  with  cordial  warmth ; 
for  he  liked  James,  as  everybody  did  that  knew  him. 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          79 

The  worthy  functionary  also  regarded  him  as  a  sort 
of  unliquidated  assets  of  the  church-sanctioned  copart- 
nery  dissolved  by  the  death  of  his  father.  In  this  light, 
the  Deacon  felt  a  personal  responsibility  as  surviving 
partner,  to  whose  care  all  unfinished  business  naturally 
devolved.  His  universal  propensity  to  dictation  and 
control  over  everything  within  his  reach,  together  with 
an  unquestionably  real  interest  in  his  self-adopted 
ward,  was  further  much  increased  by  the  idea  that  his 
own  importance  and  influence  were  amplified  and  ex- 
tended in  young  Butler's  person.  To  be  the  family 
friend  and  informal  guardian  of  the  estates  of  his 
deceased  coadjutor  was  a  feather  for  the  cap,  even  of 
so  great  a  man  as  the  living  dignitary.  He  was  also 
prompted  to  this  early  visit  by  two  additional  motives. 
During  Jarnes'  boyhood,  Hardy  had  maintained  a 
precarious  authority  in  the  household ;  supported  on 
one  side  by  his  own  really  friendly,  though  obstinately 
officious  zeal,  and  often  thwarted  on  the  other  by  the 
natural  independence  of  the  boy,  backed  by  the  indul- 
gence of  a  fond  mother  for  an  only  child.  He  desired 
now  to  ascertain  the  probable  extent  of  his  future 
control  over  James'  opinions  and  movements  ;  and  he 
was  in  a  perfect  fever  of  anxiety  to  remedy  what  he 
chose  to  consider  a  great  mistake  of  the  widow  in  her 
donation  to  Sam  Shirk.  The  latter  transaction  he 
hoped  to  place  on  what  he  considered  a  more  prudent 
footing,  by  inducing  Butler's  interference  in  the  mat- 
ter. The  economical  relations  of  the  case  were  so 
obvious  and  so  controlling,  in  his  mind,  that  he  did  not 
doubt  that  James  would  immediately  decide  to  revoke 
or  greatly  modify  his  mother's  gift,  —  the  way  to  -such 
a  course  of  action  having  been  opened  by  Sam  himself 
in  the  careless  destruction  of  the  deed,  which  had  not 


80  SAM  SHIRK: 

yet  been  replaced.  This  transaction  of  Shirk's  with 
Jem  Sharpe,  had  been  made  known  to  the  Deacon  by 
his  vexed  patroness  ;  and  was  sufficient  to  ruin  his 
reputation  with  the  shrewd  and  minute  man  of  busi- 
ness, if  indeed  he  had  had  any  reputation  with  him  to 
lose. 

Before  entering  upon  business,  however,  Deacon 
Hardy,  for  his  own  private  satisfaction,  took  a  cool  and 
deliberate  survey  of  James  himself. 

Seating  himself  in  a  chair  and  planting  his  cane 
between  his  feet,  he  rested  both  hands  upon  its  ivory 
head,  and  inspected  his  young  friend  minutely  from 
top  to  toe.  James  winced  and  colored  for  a  moment 
under  the  cool  and  undisguised  scrutiny ;  for  the  old 
man  examined  him  precisely  as  he  would  an  ox  in  his 
barnyard,  or  a  fatting  hog  in  his  own  stye.  Why 
shouldn't  he  ?  He,  Deacon  Hardy,  had  an  opinion  to 
make  up  on  his  behalf,  and  how  else  should  he  do  it  ? 

The  Deacon  was  a  horrible  egoist,  in  truth.  Too 
strong  minded  to  be  vulgarly  conceited,  he  had  still 
an  implicit  confidence  in  his  own  conclusions.  Had 
he  worn  a  crown,  he  would  have  said  with  Louis,  le 
grand  Monarque,  —  "  The  State  I  that's  me." 

Luckily  for  his  neighbors,  his  power  was  limited,  if 
his  arrogance  was  not.  Yet  the  old  fellow  would  not 
have  been  an  unprincipled  tyrant ;  though  in  many 
cases  he  might  have  been  a  tyrant  upon  principle. 
He  said  and  did  nothing,  but  on  long  and  often  pain- 
ful consideration,  and  upon  fore-ordained  convictions 
that  had  become  an  integral  part  of  his  moral  being ; 
and  he  could  not  conceive  of  a  sane  man  coming  to 
any  results  differing  from  his  own.  He  was,  to  do 
him  justice,  generally  sagacious  in  his  deductions  ;  but 
he  could  not  understand  that  men  must  necessarily 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          81 

differ  in  their  judgments  and  opinions.  The  proverb, 
"  So  many  men,  so  many  minds,"  was  flat  heresy  with 
him.  He  denied  the  right  of  private  judgment  to  his 
fellows,  as  coolly  and  as  resolutely  as  the  Pope.  He 
was  therefore  amazed,  some  twenty  times  a  day,  on  an 
average,  at  the  incredible  folly  and  obstinacy  of  such 
as  could  not  see  through  his  spectacles.  Still,  he  went 
on,  day  after  day,  interfering,  advising,  and  dictating 
for  the  good  of  his  neighbors,  with  the  perseverance 
of  a  martyr ;  for  he  would  really  do  good,  if  he  could 
without  any  great  sacrifice  to  himself;  and  he  hated 
to  see  anything  go  wrong  or  run  to  waste,  especially 
under  his  own  nose  and  in  defiance  of  his  own  opinion. 

When  he  came  to  explain  his  views  upon  the  matter 
of  Sam  Shirk,  he  was  grievously  disappointed  at  the 
reception  they  met  with.  In  vain  he  recounted  all 
the  peccadilloes  of  which  Sam  had  been  guilty,  as  well 
as  some  of  which  he  probably  did  not  deserve  the 
credit.  Sam's  character  was  one  of  those,  whose  very 
virtues  often  wore  the  garb  of  genial  foibles  at  best, 
in  the  eye  of  severe  criticism,  and  were  even  sins  to 
a  man  like  Hardy ;  while  his  faults  admitted  a  wide 
latitude  of  construction,  between  the  half-approving 
pity  of  chanty,  and  the  stern  condemnation  of  formal 
censoriousness.  His  case  was  now  in  the  hands  of  a 
harsh  critic,  and  was  made  out  unsparingly  black  and 
unpromising  against  him.  But  Butler  knew  both  the 
accuser  and  the  accused,  and  listened  with  respectful 
indifference  ;  until,  when  the  Deacon,  having  exhausted 
his  eloquence,  culminated  his  harangue  with  his  favor- 
ite depreciatory  proverb,  that  "  silk  purses  couldn't 
be  made  out  of  sows'  ears,"  he  laughed  outright. 

The  Deacon  enforced  his  closing  argument  with  a 
sturdy  thump  upon  the  floor  with  his  stick  ;  and  sat 
6 


82  SAM  SHIRK: 

resting  his  chin  between  his  hands,  upon  the  head  of 
his  cane,  as  if  he  were  planting  himself  in  a  position 
that  only  a  fool  or  a  madman  would  dream  of  attack- 
ing;. 

O 

At  Butler's  irreverent  treatment  of  his  final  apo- 
thegm, he  started,  and  drawing  up  his  head,  visited 
the  youth  with  a  look  such  as  a  Pythian  priestess 
might  have  bestowed  on  the  impious  heathen  who 
should  have  ridiculed  the  Delphic  oracle. 

Before  either  could  speak,  the  simple-minded  dame 
replied  to  his  concluding  observation  :  "  Well,  to  be 
sure,  nobody  could  make  silk  purses  out  of  sows'  ears, 
and  I  shouldn't  want  to  try.  But,  Deacon,  three 
years  ago  I  bought  a  little  pig,  and  it  was  the  meanest 
runt  of  a  pig  that  you  ever  saw.  But  I  couldn't  get 
any  better ;  for  I  remember  that  somehow  pigs  were 
awful  skerce  that  season.  Everybody  said  it  wan't 
worth  bringing  up  ;  but  I  couldn't  bear  to  see  all  the 
slops  going  to  waste,  so  I  tried  what  I  could  make  of 
him.  I  dare  say  I  took  extra  pains,  because  he  was 
such  a  miserable  creature.  Well,  he  grew  and  did 
first-rate  after  all ;  and  when  I  had  him  killed,  he  was 
about  as  handsome  a  hog  as  ever  we  had.  I  don't 
justly  recollect  what  he  weighed ;  but  he  was  a  noble 
hog,  and  better  pork  I  never  put  down  in  a  barrel." 

The  widow  paused  in  pleased  reminiscence  of  the 
exemplary  pig.  James  caught  the  drift  of  his  mother's 
apologue  and  smiled  again.  The  Deacon  sat  in  sullen 
dignity,  though  ruffled  by  his  evident  defeat.  Wel- 
lington, when  he  saw  the  squadrons  of  Napoleon 
charge  and  break,  for  the  last  time,  on  his  unfaltering 
squares,  could  not  have  looked  more  proudly.  He  was 
always  as  proud  in  defeat  as  in  victory.  For  while 
he  considered  success  but  as  the  natural  sequence  of 


A    TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          83 

presupposed  infallibility,  failure  was  at  once  proof  of 
the  perversity  of  his  opponents  and  the  glorious  crown 
of  the  martyr  to  unappreciated  truth. 

So  all  three  sat  silent  for  a  minute  or  two  :  the 
good  old  lady  in  placid  meditation,  her  son  in  the 
mood  commonly  denominated  sniggering,  and  the  Dea- 
con, severe  and  undismayed,  if  discomfited.  He  lis- 
tened to  the  stoiy  of  the  pig,  with  that  impassive  quiet 
which  so  happily  combines  the  expression  of  respect 
for  the  speaker  with  profound  contempt  for  the  speech. 
As  the  silence  began  to  grow  oppressive,  he  ejaculated 
a  pettish,  "  Well,"  which  might  either  be  interpreted, 
"What  of  all  that?" — or  in  the  milder  sense  of, 
"  Yes,  yes,  no  doubt,  but  what  about  the  matter  we 
were  speaking  of  ?  " 

The  widow,  recalled  by  his  voice  from  the  grave  of 
the  departed  porker,  reechoed  the  exclamation,  — 

"  Well,  I  mean  to  say  that  I  think  Sam  may  be 
more  like  that  runt  than  like  sows'  ears.  Maybe  he'll 
grow  good  for  something,  when  he  has  the  chance." 

The  Deacon  looked  at  her  with  an  expression  of 
grave  dissent,  and  shook  his  head,  but  said  not  a  word. 
Turning  again  to  James  he  saw  by  the  expression  of 
his  face,  that  he  had  no  hopes  of  success  ;  and  again 
he  summed  up  his  internal  reflections  with  the  same 
"Well." 

What  a  blessed  word  is  that  little  compound  of  four 
letters  !  It  means  everything  and  it  means  nothing 
at  all.  It  is  sufficient  to  let  off  any  quantity  of  accu- 
mulated wrath  or  any  amount  of  contempt,  yet  leaves 
no  room  for  quarrel.  Most  felicitously  ambiguous,  it 
means  one  thing  to  the  speaker  and  another  to  the 
hearer,  being  understood  by  each  in  his  own  way. 

"  Well,   well,"  says  Smith,  meaning   thereby,   "  It 


84  SAM  SHIRK: 

you're  fool   enough    to    think    so,   think    so,  and  be 

*/  o  *  * 

hanged!"  His  friend  Jones  translates  it:  "I  an't 
sure  that  I  agree,  but  I  shan't  dispute  with  a  gentle- 
man of  your  intelligence." 

Brown  considers  his  "  Well,  well,"  to  mean,  "  You 
are  such  an  ass  that  it's  of  no  use  to  argue  with  you  ;  " 
while  the  ass  takes  it  to  express,  virtually,  "  Probably 
you  know  best ;  but  I  never  saw  it  in  that  way  be- 
fore." 

Better  than  all  the  Peace  Societies,  Presidents, 
Secretaries,  Committees  and  all,  is  this  little  polite, 
hypocritical  monosyllable.  Like  the  finished  man  of 
the  world,  it  can  flatter  or  insult,  cajole  or  sneer,  all 
in  a  breath,  and  all  with  imperturbable  serenity. 

Under  cover  of  this  friendly  mystery,  the  Deacon 
exhaled  his  indignation ;  and  the  dame  expressed  her 
determination  to  have  her  own  way. 

James,  too,  said  to  himself,  "  Well,  I  guess  mother's 
about  right ;  "  —  and  in  consummation  of  the  whole 
matter  subjoined  also  mentally,  — 

"  Well,  the  old  deacon  meant  right  enough  too ; 
but  he's  a  quiddle." 

So  all  was  well,  —  Sam  Shirk's  cause  included. 


A    TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  85 


CHAPTER   X. 

AT  the  conclusion  of  Deacon  Hardy's  call,  or  recon- 
noissance,  as  it  might  be  considered,  James  felt  some- 
thing of  that  mental  oppression  which  the  bustle  and 
hurry  of  excited  feeling  leave  behind  them.  The  nat- 
ural disposition  for  solitary  and  quiet  reflection  which 
a  plunge  into  a  new  scene,  calling  up  numerous  asso- 
ciations and  awakening  deep  emotions,  always  induces, 
also  cooperated  with  physical  weariness  to  produce  the 
same  effect. 

He  therefore  proposed  to  go  to  his  chamber  for  an 
hour's  rest.  His  mother  was  sitting  motionless  in  her 
chair  too  much  absorbed  even  to  knit,  not  precisely  in 
reflection,  but  in  what  she  would  herself  have  called 
a  mismaze.  Her  heart  had  borne  her  triumphantly 
through  the  dispute  with  the  Deacon  ;  but  now  her 
mind  was  painfully  going  over  the  ground  again,  in  a 
conscientious  endeavor  to  comprehend  the  real  merits 
of  the  case.  Like  an  officer  who,  after  a  fiery  charge 
which  had  swept  his  enemy  like  chaff  before  him,  re- 
turning leisurely  over  the  disputed  ground  and  making 
his  way  among  mangled  corpses  and  mutilated  suffer- 
ers, feels  the  current  of  his  ideas  changed  by  the  mel- 
ancholy accompaniments  of  his  triumph,  and  begins  to 
question  the  fierce  excitement  and  the  proud  joy  of 
victory,  —  the  good  lady  was  sorely  perplexed  by  a 
scrupulous  fear,  lest  she  had,  unwittingly,  in  the  heat 


86  SAM  SHIRK: 

of  discussion,  deviated  from  the  straight  and  narrow 
path  of  duty.  She  felt  she  was  right,  but  could  not 
for  her  life  tell  why  ;  and  it  was  equally  dark  to  her 
how  the  Deacon  was,  or  could  be  wrong.  There  was 
no  particle  of  logic  in  her  composition ;  and  the  more 
she  thought  about  the  matter,  the  more  she  worked 

O  ' 

herself  into  a  desperate  and  despairing  worry.  Her 
son  easily  guessed  what  was  going  on  in  her  mind  ;  and 
taking  her  hand  affectionately,  said  with  a  quiet  smile,  — 
"  Now,  dear  mother,  don't  trouble  yourself  any  more 
about  that.  I  will  take  it  all  off  your  hands,  and  settle 
it  according  both  to  law  and  gospel." 

"  O,  dear  me,  do  James."  The  shadow  passed 
away,  and  the  placid  contentment  came  over  the  old 
lady's  kindly  face,  as  when  a  cloud  blows  over  and  lets 
the  sunshine  in  again  upon  the  landscape.  She  was 
delighted  to  be  relieved  of  all  further  necessity  for 
thought  or  care  ;  and  it  was  doubly  delightful  to  throw 
her  burden  on  the  manly  shoulders  of  her  own  hand- 
some, open-hearted  boy,  instead  of  her  old  ghostly 
father  confessor,  the  stiff,  captious,  and  awful  Deacon. 

"  Now  mother,  you  just  take  a  little  afternoon  nap. 
I  mean  to  do  the  same  myself,"  continued  James, 
"  for  I  feel  a  trifle  tired.  I  did  not  stop  much  upon 
my  road  home,  and  an  hour's  sleep  will  not  be  amiss." 

The  good  dame  now  found  a  new  and  more  congen- 
ial subject  for  her  ideas  to  ramble  over,  in  anxiety  for 
her  son's  health ;  and  she  forthwith  urged  him  to  stop 
till  she  could  make  for  him  a  cup  of  herb  tea,  the 
materials  for  which  she  kept  constantly  at  hand  and 
which  was,  in  her  belief,  a  sure  prophylactic  against 
colds,  nervousness,  fatigue,  and  most  mortal  ills. 

James  however  declined  the  herb  tea,  pleading  a 
need  of  nothing  but  a  little  rest ;  —  and  kissing  his 
mother's  cheek,  turned  to  leave  the  room. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  87 

"  Well,  my  son,  have  a  good  nap.  We  will  call 
you  for  tea.  And,  James,  won't  it  be  better  for  you 
to  see  Deacon  Hardy  again  about  Sam  ?  "  added  she  ; 
for  she  could  not  yet  entirely  divest  herself  of  the 
sense  of  responsibility  in  acting  without  the  approval 
of  a  man  to  whose  opinion  she  had  so  long  yielded 
implicit  deference. 

"  O  yes,  mother,  I  shall  see  the  Deacon  twenty 
times  a  day,  you  know,"  replied  James  evasively. 
But,  for  his  part,  although  he  did  not  think  it  worth 
while  to  say  so,  he  had  determined  that  the  Deacon 
should  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  it. 

So  saying,  he  went  up  the  narrow  staircase  which 
led  to  the  little  attic  chamber  which  had  been  always 
called  his  own.  As  he  entered  the  small  room,  with 
its  low  ceiling  and  plain  plastered  walls,  and  simple 
furniture,  the  contrast  with  the  spacious  apartments 
and  handsome  appurtenances  of  the  city  mansions, 
with  which  he  had  so  long  been  familiar,  struck  him 
momentarily  with  a  disagreeable  impression  of  insig- 
nificance and  discomfort.  But  when,  after  drawing 
off  his  boots,  he  stretched  himself  upon  the  fresh, 
clean,  snow-white  bed  and  leisurely  looked  around  the 
room,  a  more  truthful  and  healthy  feeling  came  over 
him,  refreshing  to  his  spirit  as  the  cool,  soft  June 
breeze  that  poured  in  at  the  windows  was  to  his  tired 
and  somewhat  fevered  frame.  In  the  recognition  of 
objects  so  familiar,  though  at  first  half  strange  from 
long  absence,  memory  and  affection  supplied  what 
experience  and  taste  found  lacking.  In  the  corner 
still  stood  his  fishing-rod  and  gun,  with  the  shot-pouch 
and  powder-flask  hanging  from  the  head  of  the  ram- 
rod, just  as  he  had  left  them.  His  inkstand,  pencils, 
and  two  or  three  favorite  books,  lay  upon  the  little 


i 

88  SAM  SHIRK: 

round  claw-footed  table  in  the  middle  of  the  floor, 
seeming,  except  from  their  scrupulous  order  and  neat 
array,  as  if  they  had  waited  for  the  four  long  years  in 
daily  expectation  of  their  owner's  return.  The  little 
library  of  his  boyhood  stood  in  regular  and  carefully 
dusted  rows  upon  the  shelves ;  and  everything  bore 
the  marks  of  fond  care  and  unforgotten  associations 
with  an  absent  loved  one.  In  truth,  on  every  Satur- 
day morning,  his  mother  had  for  every  week  through- 
out his  protracted  absence,  religiously  climbed  the 
stairs  "  to  set  James'  room  to  rights,"  or,  in  other 
words,  to  put  in  order  what  was  already  and  always 
perfectly  so.  But  she  was  wont,  on  these  hebdom- 
adal visits,  to  dust  and  carefully  replace  every  article, 
to  arrange  and  rearrange,  until  ingenuity  was  at  fault 
to  find  a  pretext  for  further  industry.  Then  the  old 
lady  would  often  seat  herself  upon  one  of  the  little 
straight-backed  chairs  and  think  dreamily  of  her  dis- 
tant and  darling  boy,  oblivious  of  fatigue  and  of  every- 
thing but  her  fond  recollections,  till  summoned  to  din- 
ner by  her  handmaiden.  And,  if  the  door  of  the 
little  closet  by  the  side  of  the  chimney  had  been  open, 
James  might  have  seen  the  wardrobe  he  had  cast  off, 
when  fitted  out  for  his  momentous  journey  to  the 
metropolis,  carefully  hung  upon  the  pegs  and  gar- 
landed  with  white  cedar  sprigs  to  keep  the  moths 
away,  altogether  regardless  of  the  evident  fact  that  it 
was  a  thing  obsolete  and  forever  useless.  But  the 
soft-hearted  mother  could  not  spare  even  a  rag  that 
reminded  her  of  the  child  so  far  away ;  and  she  cher- 
ished and  guarded  with  zealous  care  the  smallest  and 
meanest  thing  that  could  recall  the  rosy-cheeked  and 
curly-headed  urchin,  whom  she  had  so  often  laid  to 
sleep  in  this  little  chamber,  after  listening  to  the  child- 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  89 

ish  prayer  repeated  at  her  knee.  The  maternal  in- 
stinct in  a  bosom  like  her's  is  like  the  unreasoning 
zeal  of  the  devotee,  who  sees  every  wretched  bit  of 
ribbon  and  paltry  candle-end  adorning  the  shrine  of 
her  favorite  saint  all  gilded  with  the  light  of  her  own 
unlimited  devotion ;  and  finds  a  reverent  and  un- 
bounded delight  in  arranging  the  valueless  offerings, 
as  if  they  were  pearls  of  price. 

These  silent  evidences  of  love,  pure  and  unstinting, 
if  unregulated  by  logic  or  wordly  limitations,  moved 
the  heart  of  the  returned  wanderer  ;  and  a  tear  stood 
in  his  eye,  as  he  murmured  a  blessing  on  his  mother, 
and  his  humble  home.  Presently,  however,  his 
thoughts  wandered  to  a  younger  and  fairer  subject. 
The  news,  given  by  his  mother,  of  the  engagement  of 
Mary  Wilmot  had  deeply  shocked  him  ;  though  manly 
pride  and  the  hurry  of  his  fresh  return  had  kept  the 
matter  in  abeyance  for  a  time  of  quiet  and  solitude. 
He  had  journeyed  home  with  an  impression  upon  his 
mind,  which  however  dubious,  he  could  not  resist, 
probably  because  he  did  not  wish  to  resist  it,  —  that  his 
arrival  would  find  Mary  on  one  of  her  not  unfrequent 
visits  to  his  mother ;  and  that  her  hand  would  be 
among  the  first  to  greet  his,  and  her  kind  eyes  speak  a 
bright  welcome  on  his  coming.  However  small  and 
uncertain  the  basis  of  the  anticipation  to  cool  consider- 
ation, it  was  an  annoying  reverse  to  hear  that  she  not 
only  was  far  distant,  but  perhaps  beyond  his  reach  for- 
ever. 

He  felt  as  if  he  had  been  somehow  defrauded,  if  not 
of  a  right,  at  least  of  an  opportunity  that  belonged  to 
him.  But  as  he  proceeded  to  try  the  case  inforo  con- 
scientice,  he  was  forced  to  admit,  that  he  could  make 
out  no  substantial  grievance  on  any  party  on  whom  he 


90  SAM  SHIRK: 

could  urge  a  claim  or  enforce  a  remedy.  He  was  of 
that  equable  temperament  which  is  best  adapted  to 
secure  the  happiness  of  its  owner,  as  well  as  of  his 
neighbors,  in  this  rough  world.  His  affections,  though 
strong,  were  not  so  impetuous  and  unreasoning  as  to 
cloud  or  mislead  judgment ;  neither  was  his  intellect 
so  exacting  and  overbearing  as  to  cramp  or  perplex  his 
affections.  He  could  quietly  take  things  in  the  con- 
crete, with  all  their  mixed  good  and  evil ;  without  ex- 
pecting to  regulate  the  shortcomings  and  annoyances 
of  an  imperfect  world,  by  his  own  presumptions  of  inter- 
est and  abstract  right,  or  worrying  unprofitably  over 
what  was  inevitable.  His  thoughts  soon  assumed  a 
more  peaceful  cast.  He  mused  awhile  over  the  scenes 
of  days  gone  by,  when  Mary  was  the  favorite  and 
genial  companion  of  his  childish  sports,  till  weariness 
wrapt  him  in  a  sound  sleep,  which  was  only  disturbed 
by  a  rap  upon  his  door  announcing  that  the  tea-table 
was  ready. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  91 


CHAPTER  XI. 

.  THE  sun  was  still  far  above  the  western  horizon, 
when  Butler,  having  finished  his  supper  and  a  short 
chat  with  his  mother,  stood  upon  the  door-step,  sur- 
veying with  interested  curiosity  the  scenes  of  his  boy- 
ish experiences.  A  flood  of  glowing  light  still  poured 
over  the  western  sky,  gilding  with  an  intense  brilliancy 
the  craggy  summits  of  the  rough  hills  that  lay  in  the 
background  ;  and  an  amber  sheen  carpeted  the  tops 
of  the  dark  forest  that  stretched  over  the  long,  broken 
swells  of  upland,  which  formed  the  more  immediate 
boundaries  of  the  little  valley.  The  light  vapors  that 
lay  about  the  junction  of  earth  and  sky  were  already 
burning  into  one  of  those  magnificent  sunsets,  whose 
superb  and  gorgeous  hues  clothe  the  departure  of  the 
day,  in  the  clear  evenings  of  our  pure  summer  atmos- 
phere. The  burnished  glory  of  the  sky  was  deeply  yet 
softly  contrasted  by  the  obscurity,  that  began  to  gather 
about  the  spots  no  longer  reached  by  the  sun's  rays. 
Deep  patches  of  olive  thickened  under  the  borders  of 
the  tall  and  dark  woods;  and  the  easterly  slopes  of  hill 
and  dale  put  on  soft  tints  of  duskiness  over  the  vivid 
green  of  their  daylight  hues.  Long  shadows  were  pvo- 
jected  from  the  scattered  pines  and  birch  thickets  which 
the  axe  had  spared  along  the  shores  of  the  river,  one 
side  of  which  flowed  cool  and  dark  beneath  the  shaded 
bank,  while  the  other  reflected  the  sunlight  still,  from 
its  sparkling  surface.  The  eastern  side  of  the  little 


92  SAM  SHIRK: 

valley  lay  basking  in  the  horizontal  beams  of  sunset ; 
while  each  dark  brown  log-house  or  framed  cottage 
showed  its  glowing  front,  more  clearly  defined  even 
than  in  the  diffusive  splendor  of  noon  ;  and  behind 
each  and  behind  every  bush  and  stump  and  ragged 
fence,  massive  shadows  crept  further  and  further  up  the 
slopes.  Thus,  the  whole  river  course  and  basin  was 
variegated  by  the  deepest  and  most  striking  contrasts, 
of  light  and  shade ;  while  the  highlands  that  bordered 
it  shone  like  a  gilded  frame  in  the  unobstructed  rays, 
and  the  far-off  mountains  lay  in  the  distance  wrapt  in 
a  softened  shroud  of  purple  and  golden  mist. 

Butler  gazed  a  few  moments  in  silent  admiration  at 
the  rare  beauty  of  the  scene,  till  his  mind  became  ab- 
sorbed in  a  revery,  in  which  past,  present,  and  future 
were  dreamily  and  vaguely  mingled.  He  thought  of 
the  times  when  he  and  Mary  Wilmot  fished  for  trout, 
or  paddled  a  skiff  upon  the  river,  or  wandered  off  into 
the  woods,  or  picked  berries  about  the  fields  to- 
gether ;  then  of  the  charms  and  seductions  of  the  com- 
mercial town,  the  elegant  and  well-dressed  women, 
the  grave  and  stately  merchants,  till  city  belles,  ships 
and  ledgers,  woods,  waters  and  mountains,  India  voy- 
ages and  counting-rooms,  farms,  forests,  deer,  fish, 
rifles,  and  fishing-rods,  were  all  jumbled  together  in  his 
speculations. 

But  he  was  presently  recalled  from  these  engrossing 
reflections,  by  occasional  shouts  of  laughter,  loud  talk- 
ing, and  other  tokens  of  social  companionship,  coming 
from  a  spot  not  far  down  the  road,  which  to  his  ear 
were  familiar  and  well-understood  sounds  of  a  summer 
evening.  Taking  then  a  final  look  at  the  picturesque 
scene,  from  the  dark  belt  of  forest  that  curtained  the 
crests  of  the  uplands  and  the  purple  mountain  tops  afar 


A   TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.  93 

off,  to  the  valley  bottom  where  the  level  rays  struggled 
confusedly  in  among  the  deepening  shadows  of  bank, 
bush,  and  tree,  every  salient  point  gilt  with  glory,  every 
depression  and  reverse  cradled  in  a  soft  and  tender 
gloom,  he  turned  half  unwillingly  down  the  road  to  ex- 
change greetings  with  his  old  neighbors. 

The  social  wants  of  our  nature  require  conventional 
gathering-places,  where  the  life-currents  of  the  com- 
munity may  commingle,  and  whither  each  individ- 
ual may  repair  from  the  wearisome  monotony  of  his 
own  daily  round,  to  return  again  to  his  special  sphere, 
refreshed  and  invigorated  ;  as  every  drop  of  blood 
is  constantly  concentrated  in  the  heart  to  be  relieved 
in  the  lungs  of  its  accumulated  impurities,  and  sent 
forth  again,  disburdened  and  rejuvenated,  to  carry  new 
health  and  vigor  to  the  extremities  of  the  system. 
The  church,  the  theatre,  and  the  mercantile  exchange 
answer  each  their  peculiar  purposes ;  but  there  is  an 
humbler  but  more  general  need  yet  which  they  do  not 
supply.  Outside  of  the  pillared  temples  of  Mammon 
in  great  cities,  where  the  Rothschilds  and  Astors  buy 
and  sell  the  world,  kings,  emperors,  and  nationalities 
included,  there  will  be  the  "  Loafers'  Exchange,"  estab- 
lished upon  the  shaded  sidewalk  in  summer  and  in  the 
cosy  sunny  corner  in  winter,  where  the  undiscriminated 
multitude  congregate  to  barter,  not  only  merchandise, 
but  ideas  and  sympathies.  The  village  inn,  or  village 
green  in  Old  England,  and  the  business  centres  of.  each 
of  our  more  bustling  and  active  rural  towns,  furnish 
a  like  gathering-place  ;  where  politics,  trade,  gossip  and 
amusement  supply  occasions  of  relaxation,  profit,  and 
advancement  to  every  humor.  Here  the  demagogue 
goes,  to  show  his  political  wisdom  and  to  lay,  in  obscure 
foundations,  his  future  influence.  The  money-getter 


94  SAM  SHIRK: 

comes  here  to  catch  a  chance  for  a  speculation ;  the 
bully  and  the  wit  to  show  off  their  braggadocio  and 
their  jokes  ;  and  the  idler  to  gossip  and  chat  and  laugh 
at  all  that  comes  up  in  the  multifarious  assemblage. 

The  inhabitants  of  Merrifield  were  accustomed  to 
congregate,  in  the  pleasant  weather,  upon  either  or  both 
ends  of  the  little  bridge  that  joined  with  its  friendly 
bond  the  two  sides  of  the  river.  On  these  occasions, 
the  railings  displayed  a  row  of  red-shirted  mill  and 
lumber-men,  sitting,  like  a  string  of  fowls  upon  their 
roost,  smoking  their  pipes  and  whittling  in  careless 
relaxation  after  the  day's  work.  The  magnates  of  the 
hamlet,  the  two  lawyers,  the  doctor,  and  the  traders, 
whose  shops  were  chiefly  in  the  immediate  vicinity, 
did  not  generally  compromise  their  dignity  by  such  a 
gallinaceous  attitude,  but  stood  or  walked  to  and  fro, 
about  the  front  of  the  line  ;  while  a  small  crowd  of 
boys  and  stragglers  fringed  the  outskirts  of  the  assem- 
blage with  little  knots  busied  with  their  own  amuse- 
ments, but  ever  ready  to  catch  up  any  joke  or  crowd 
in  to  listen  to  any  discussion,  that  turned  up  among  the 
more  staid  portion  of  the  throng. 

On  the  night  of  Butler's  arrival  the  gathering  em- 
braced almost  every  man  and  boy  in  the  village ;  for 
the  news  of  his  coming  had  been  speedily  diffused,  and 
beside  the  intrinsic  importance  of  a  visitor  fresh  from 
the  metropolis,  all  were  eager  to  greet  the  bright,  free- 
hearted boy,  still  well  remembered  and  affectionately 
regarded  by  all  his  old  neighbors.  It  seemed  too,  that 
the  women,  especially  the  younger  ones,  had  an  un- 
usual need  of  articles  from  the  shops  that  evening  ; 
so  that,  on  one  pretext  or  another  or  on  none  at  all, 
the  whole  village  was  astir.  Butler's  approach  was 
soon  observed  and  announced  by  the  boys  who  were 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS    OF  MAINE.          95 
frolicking  about  the  road,  and  the  information  caused 

O  * 

an  immediate  stir  in  the  conclave.  The  mill-men  got 
down  from  their  perch,  stopped  their  whittling  and  put 
their  knives  into  their  pockets.  Squire  Preston  pulled 
up  his  shirt-collar  and  set  his  hat  straighter  upon  his 
head,  and  followed  by  the  doctor,  the  traders,  and  all 
who  felt  their  position  entitled  them  to  prominence, 
sauntered  towards  the  corner  to  meet  the  object  of 
their  general  interest.  Unconscious  of  his  extraordi- 
nary importance  and  unaffectedly  pleased  to  meet  his 
old  acquaintances,  James  exchanged  greetings  with 
the  dignitaries;  and  this  more  quiet  process  over, 
found  himself  surrounded  by  a  swarm  of  rough,  hardy 
men,  who  shook  his  hands  with  a  rude  energy,  that 
but  for  the  limited  number  of  the  claimants  for  notice, 
might  have  been  somewhat  exhausting.  It  happened 
too,  rather  oddly,  that  quite  a  number  of  rosy-faced 
damsels  chanced  to  be  coming  out  of  the  shop-doors 
just  at  this  moment,  not  to  mention  several  of  the  staid 
matrons  of  the  village  ;  and  as  they  were  all  by  acci- 
dent arrayed  in  their  gayest  and  choicest  attire,  the 
whole  formed  quite  an  imposing  scene,  such  as  the 
rustic  little  hamlet  seldom  saw.  But  the  more  deli- 
cate and  ornamental  features  o.f  it  were  lost  upon  the 
unconscious  Butler.  For,  buried  in  the  eager  crowd 

*  O 

of  his  male  friends,  the  innocent  witcheries  of  the 
young  girls  and  the  benign  smiles  of  welcome  that 
wreathed  the  older  female  faces  were  lost  to  him,  and 
the  innumerable  questions  that  poured  on  him,  effect- 
ually barred  all  opportunity  for  softer  and  sweeter 
greetings  ;  so  that,  after  lingering  around  in  vain  for 
some  minutes,  they  took  reluctant  flight,  to  await  a 
more  quiet  occasion.  Upon  the  edge  of  the  throng  too, 
stood  another  unobtruding  figure,  but  of  the  rougher 


96  SAM  SHIRK: 

sex.  With  his  quick  gray  eye  suffused  with  emotion, 
and  his  whole  frame  quivering  with  suppressed  feeling, 
his  look  was  fixed  on  Butler,  as  if  he  longed,  yet  dared 
not  to  rush  up  to  him  and  express  the  pleasure  which 
evidently  absorbed  his  every  idea.  It  was  the  poor 
vagabond  Shirk,  but  vagabond  no  longer ;  for  he  was 
now  neatly  though  simply  dressed  like  his  neighbors. 
The  grotesque  garb  and  incongruous  air  of  the  depend- 
ent upon  the  odds  and  ends  of  charity  had  given  place  to 
the  consistent  and  independent  mien  of  the  man,  who 
has  his  own  place  and  is  able  to  keep  it.  His  features 
had  no  longer  the  unsettled  and  wandering  look  or  the 
painful  recklessness  of  his  days  of  destitution  ;  but  in- 
telligent, calm,  and  bright,  bespoke  a  character  consid- 
erably above  the  average  of  the  uneducated  children 
of  labor,  and  capacity  of  large  and  genial  development. 
So,  it  was  not  a  sense  of  shabbiness  that  prevented  Sam 
from  coming  forward  with  others  to  shake  hands  with 
Butler.  Nor  was  it,  by  any  means,  that  he  could 
plead  no  claim  of  acquaintanceship.  For,  even  then,  he 
was  busily  thinking  of  the  days  so  long  ago,  yet  seem- 
ingly so  near,  when  he  repaid  the  constant  kindness  of 
the  generous-hearted  boy  who  so  often  relieved  his 
bitter  wants,  with  such  toys  as  his  ingenuity  could 
supply  for  boyish  sports ;  and  when  his  own  desultory 
and  aimless  hours  were  so  frequently  employed,  in 
Butler's  company,  in  the  thousand  enterprises  and  ac- 
tive amusements  which  boys  love.  For  Sam,  notwith- 
standing his  humble  position,  had  always  been  admitted 
to  the  sports  of  his  young  neighbors  ;  indeed  his  ready 
wit,  activity,  and  promptitude  made  him  almost  indis- 
pensable on  all  important  occasions,  and  his  good  tem- 
per rendered  him  a  general  favorite.  Butler's  natural 
sagacity,  especially,  had  led  him  to  discern  Shirk's  good 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.  97 

qualities  under  all  his  mean  exterior,  and  his  manly 
and  generous  feelings  recognized  and  appreciated  them 
as  readily  as  if  poor  Sam's  fortunes  had  been  on  a  par 
with  the  best  of  his  comrades.  In  truth,  there  were 
strong  sympathies  between  them.  Nobody  knew  so 
well  as  either  James  or  Sam  where  to  find  a  trout,  a 
partridge,  or  a  deer,  or  better  loved  to  catch  them. 
Sam  had  an  unbounded  admiration  for  Butler,  and 
James  did  full  justice  on  all  occasions  to  Sam,  un- 
checked by  any  worldly  disparity  between  them.  In 
remote  parts  of  the  country,  there  is  little  deference 
paid  —  especially  by  boys  —  to  arbitrary  rules  of  social 
etiquette. 

But  Sam  Shirk,  though  ragged  and  miserably  poor, 
was  no  vulgar  boy.  He  had  inherited  from  his  mother 
the  delicate  organization  which  had  made  destitution 
a  crushing  and  fatal  burden  to  her ;  and  while  he 
bravely  bore  up  under  his  own  early  apprenticeship 
to  misery,  he  never  lost  his  instinctive  reverence  for 
excellence.  If,  in  the  pitiless  chaos  of  his  utter  help- 
lessness, he  had  not  always  walked  with  unerring  steps 
over  the  quaking  bog,  the  moment  he  felt  the  firm 
ground  beneath  his  feet,  he  stood  erect  and  steady 
again  in  natural  integrity. 

When  he  saw  Butler  stand  before  him  with  the  easy 
and  self-possessed  air  of  educated  refinement, —  which 
he  could  intuitively  appreciate,  little  as  he  was  famil- 
iar with  it,  —  his  unexceptionable  dress  and  manner, 
his  manly  bearing,  and  handsome,  animated  face,  his 
old  comrade  appeared  to  him  something  almost  more 
than  human.  He  remembered  too,  that  Butler  was 
probably  the  ultimate  arbiter  in  the  matter  of  the  de- 
faced deed  of  the  little  farm,  which  was  the  sole  mate- 
rial basis  of  his  pecuniary  welfare  and  his  now  deeply 
7 


98  SAM  SHIRK: 

cherished  social  independence.  This  reflection  brought 
also  with  it  a  mortifying  remembrance  of  his  own  ri- 
diculous position  in  relation  to  the  affair,  so  momentous 
to  him.  Altogether'  he  felt  it  impossible  to  summon 
resolution  to  accost  James.  An  instinctive  sense  of 
honorable  delicacy  withheld  him  from  making  a  claim, 
which  might  seem,  and  which  indeed  he  really  felt  to 
be  presumptuous,  of  renewing  with  the  man,  so  far 
above  him  in  position  and  outward  advantages,  the  ac- 
quaintance of  careless  boyhood.  Under  the  influence 
of  all  these  feelings  poor  Sam  hung  round  the  edges  of 
the  little  crowd,  unwilling  to  go  away,  yet  unwilling  to 
advance,  —  longing,  yet  fearing  to  be  recognized.  With 
moist  eyes  and  lips  firmly  compressed,  as  if  to  shut  up 
within  himself  his  contending  emotions,  he  furtively 
followed  every  movement  and  hung  upon  every  word 
of  the  absorbing  object  of  his  interest,  —  whom  alone  he 
saw  and  heard. 

But  it  was  not  long  before  Butler's  sharp  eye  caught 
his  retreating  figure.  At  first  he  could  hardly  believe 
that  the  decently  clad,  intelligent-looking  young  man 
before  him  was  his  old  forlorn,  well-remembered  play- 
mate. But  a  second  glance  assured  him  of  the  fact, 
and  gave  him  also  a  partial  comprehension  of  the  feelings 
that  agitated  Shirk's  working  and  expressive  features, 
when  he  caught  Butler's  fixed  gaze.  Hastily  pushing 
his  way  to  his  side,  James  extended  his  hand,  which 
was  seized  with  an  eager  grasp  that  conveyed  in  its 
nervous  pressure  all  the  depth  of  the  still  subdued 
emotion. 

"  Why,  Sam ;  you  the  last  to  shake  hands  with 
me!" 

The  poor  fellow  cast  a  single  earnest  look  into  James' 
face,  as  if  he  longed  to  speak ;  then  biting  his  quivering 


A    TALE    OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.          99 

lips,  dropped  his  eyes  to  the  ground,  without  uttering 
a  word.  James  laid  his  hand  kindly  upon  his  shoulder, 
and  said  in  a  low  tone,  so  as  to  be  heard  by  him  alone, 
— "  I  hardly  knew  you,  Sam.  I  am  right  glad  to 
see  you,  —  and  looking  so  well  too.  I  have  not  for- 
gotten the  old  times,  Sam.  Come  to  the  house,  after 
breakfast  to-morrow.  Don't  forget,  I  will  stay  till 
you  come." 

Butler  then  turned  away,  delicately  desirous  of  not 
drawing  the  general  attention  to  his  agitated  compan- 
ion, who,  murmuring  a  broken  "  God  bless  you," 
rushed  away  behind  a  neighboring  pile  of  lumber,  and 
sinking  down  with  his  face  between  his  hands,  let  loose 
his  pent-up  excitement  in  a  flood  of  proud  and  happy 
tears,  —  tears  with  which  were  mingled  thoughts  of  his 
poor,  pale,  emaciated,  lost  mother,  and  his  young, 
bright-eyed,  recovered  friend. 


100  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  next  morning  James  broached  the  subject  of 
Shirk's  affairs  to  his  mother  at  the  breakfast-table. 

"  Mother,  I  saw  Sam  Shirk  last  night.  He  is  all 
right ;  and  you  will  give  him  another  deed  of  the  little 
farm,  I  suppose." 

"  But  have  you  seen  Deacon  Hardy  about  it,  my 
son?" 

"  No,  mother,  and  why  should  I  ?  The  land  is  your 
own  to  give,  and  nobody  has  any  interest  in  it,  beside 
you,  but  myself;  and  I  am  satisfied.  The  Deacon's 
objections  are  all  fudge." 

"  But,  James,"  said  the  old  lady,  fidgeting  a  little 
in  her  chair,  "  I  don't  like  to  do  it,  hardly,  without  the 
Deacon's  knowing  it." 

"  Mother,  it's  none  of  the  Deacon's  business  ;  and  I 
don't  mean  he  shall  make  it  so.  To  speak  plainly, 
mother,  I  don't  altogether  like  the  Deacon's  way  of 
thinking  and  talking.  This  grim,  square-cornered 
doctrine  of  his  don't  suit  me.  There's  something  else 
in  this  world  than  his  stiff  notions  and  sour  creed  ; 
and  something  a  good  deal  better  too.  And,  the  long 
and  short  of  it  is,  if  you  don't  give  Sam  a  new  deed, 
I  shall  give  him  a  piece  of  my  own  land  instead,  —  if 
you  won't  be  angry  with  me,  mother." 

"  I,  angry  with  you,  James  !     No,  indeed.     If  you 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        101 

feel  quite  sure  it  an't  wrong,  I'll  sign  a  new  deed  for 
Sam  right  away." 

"  On  the  contrary,  mother,  I  am  sure  it  would  be 
very  wrong  not  to  do  it.  The  disappointment  would 
probably  discourage  Sam  forever.  And,  take  my  word 
for  it,  he  will  make  a  good  use  of  your  kindness.  Your 
own  kind  heart,  dear  mother,  is  a  better  guide  than  all 
the  deacons  in  the  world." 

"  O,  no,  James,  don't  say  so,  I'm  a  sinful  creature, 
like  everybody  else." 

"  No  you  an't,  mother.  There's  sin  enough  in  the 
world,  no  doubt.  But  if  a  man  should  call  you  sinful, 
I  should  just  knock  him  down  for  his  pains." 

"  O,  my  boy,  what  are  you  talking  about  ?  Now, 
that's  the  real  old  Adam  ;  what  good  would  it  do  to 
knock  anybody  down  for  calling  me  sinful  ?  " 

"  I  think  it  might  do  him  a  great  deal  of  good, 
mother ;  and  I  know  it  would  me.  And  as  for  the 
old  Adams  and  the  young  Adams  too,  God  made  'em 
all :  and  He  has  done  it  a  great  deal  better  than  Dea- 
con Hardy  would.  But,  I'm  afraid  you'll  begin  to 
think  me  wicked,  mother." 

"  /  think  you  wicked,  James  ;  O,  what  should  I 
do,  if  I  did  think  so  ?  " 

"  Sure  enough,  mother,  and  I  hope  never  to  give 
you  reason  to  think  me  very  bad ;  although  I  have 
plenty  of  room  to  improve,  and  with  God's  help  mean 
to  do  so.  But  what  of  the  old  Adam  and  Deacon 
Hardy's  doctrines  now,  mother  ?  " 

"  O  dear !  James,  don't  argue.  I  can't ;  it  puzzles 
me  to  death.  Don't  say  any  more,  but  get  the  deed 
made  and  I'll  sign  it." 

"  Very  good,  dear  mother.  You'll  find  it  will  all  turn 
out  right.  And  one  thing  more.  A  farm  is  of  no  use 


102  SAM  SHIRK: 

without  some  stock.  Now  I  think  it  will  be  well  to 
give  Sam  old  Brindle  into  the  bargain.  We  have  got 
three  or  four  heifers  coming  in  next  spring,  and  shall 
never  miss  her.  I  want  to  do  something  for  him  too  ; 
and  that  shall  be  my  present.  What  should  I  have 
done  if  Shirk  had  not  prevented  the  old  mare's  break- 
ing your  neck  ?  " 

Soon  after  this  arrangement  was  concluded,  Shirk 
came  in.  Although  he  shook  Butler's  extended  hand 
with  a  grateful  confidence  very  different  from  the 
nervous  timidity  of  their  last  interview,  yet  a  shade  of 
anxiety  was  visible  on  his  countenance,  until  dispelled 
by  Butler's  smiling  face  and  welcome  communication 
that  everything  was  satisfactorily  adjusted. 

"  Now  Sam,"  said  James,  "  we  shall  expect  you  to 
be  a  little  more  careful  in  future.  You  have  some  lee- 
way to  make  up,  as  the  old  salts  in  Boston  say ;  and 
you  must  do  your  best  for  awhile  to  be  up  to  your  im- 
proved position.  By  and  by  you  will  not  need  to 
thank  anybody  but  yourself  for  all  you  want." 

A  bright  glow  of  happy  resolve  flashed  over  Shirk's 
face ;  but  was  succeeded  in  a  moment  by  a  look  of 
quiet  gratitude,  as  he  replied,  — 

"  If  ever  I  am  anything,  it  will  be  all  along  of  you 
and  your  mother.  'Twill  be  a  bitter  day  to  me,  if  I 
should  live  to  see  you  repent  'ont.  Only,  Mr.  James, 
I  hope  you  will  help  me  with  your  advice  for  awhile  ; 
and  not  let  me  make  a  fool  of  myself  again." 

"  I  will  help  you  in  every  way  I  can,  Sam.  Don't 
hesitate  to  come  to  me  if  you  are  troubled  about  any- 
thing. And  now  I  want  to  do  a  little  for  you  too,  for 
the  sake  of  old  times  ;  and  I  will  give  you  a  cow  to 
start  with,  and  then  you  will  get  along  famously,  Sam. 
You  can  manage  as  well  as  the  best  of  us,  when  you 
set  about  it  in  earnest,  I  am  sure." 


A   TALE  OF   THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        103 

Shirk's  mobile  features  had  already  shown  strong 
symptoms  of  emotion  ;  but  now  he  was  completely 
overpowered.  He  sank  into  a  chair  beside  him  and 
coverino-  his  face  with  his  hands,  sobbed  like  a  child. 

o  ' 

The  good  dame  had  been  sitting  at  her  knitting,  re- 
volving in  her  mind  the  problem  of  her  son's  earnest 
disagreement  with  the  views  of  Deacon  Hardy ;  and 
still  somewhat  concerned  least  some  latent  heresy 
might  be  involved  in  his  indignant  repudiation  of  the 
Deacon's  arrogance  in  its  garb  of  pretentious  humility. 
She  could  not  distrust  her  manly,  free-hearted  boy  ; 
yet  she  did  not  dare  to  differ  from  the  Deacon.  Her 
perplexed  meditations  were  interrupted  by  Sam's  sobs ; 
for,  having  gladly  thrown  the  weight  of  active  respon- 
sibility upon  her  son,  she  had  been  paying  no  attention 
whatever  to  his  proceedings,  absorbed  as  she  was  in  her 
helpless  bewilderment.  She  started  at  the  interruption, 
dropped  her  knitting-work  into  her  lap  and  her  specta- 
cles from  her  nose.  Then  she  took  a  long,  wondering 
look  at  Sam,  and  ejaculating,  "  O  my  !  did  you  ever  !  " 
burst  into  tears  herself. 

After  this  propitious  termination  of  his  troubles, 
Shirk  made  up  his  mind  irrevocably  to  better  things. 
He  called  to  his  aid  the  ingenuity  his  vagabond  life  had 
compelled  him  to  cultivate,  to  compensate,  in  some 
measure,  for  the  lack  of  industry  it  had  induced.  By 
making  contrivance,  in  some  degree,  a  substitute  for 
hard  work,  he  hoped  to  effect  his  purposes  without  ut- 
terly intolerable  drafts  upon  his  patience.  His  most 
important  step  in  this  direction  was  a  negotiation  with 
a  landless  new-comer,  a  thrifty  Scot  with  an  industri- 
ous family,  whom  he  took  into  partnership  upon  terms 
advantageous  to  both.  In  virtue  of  this  compact,  the 
produce  of  the  farm  was  to  be  divided  between  them, 


104  SAM  SHIRK: 

while  in  consideration  of  Sara's  ownership  and  contri- 
bution of  active  capital,  to  wit,  the  pig  and  cow,  Leon- 
ard McKim  undertook  the  chief  part  of  the  agricul- 
tural labor,  leaving  to  Sam  mainly  the  fencing  and 
other  mechanical  improvements,  with  the  head-work 
in  general.  By  this  judicious  arrangement,  Shirk  suc- 
ceeded in  materially  relieving  his  back,  without  impair- 
ing the  comfort  of  the  opposite  part  of  his  body.  A  good, 
active,  tall  girl  of  his  copartner's  also  began  to  find 
favor  in  his  eyes ;  and  it  was  soon  settled  that  the  al- 
liance should  be  cemented,  and  Sam's  stockings  and 
coats  mended  by  the  fair  hand  of  Miss  Jenny.  Under 
this  judicious  arrangement,  prosperity  and  comfort 
soon  crowned  the  united  exertions  of  the  family. 

For  some  time  after  his  return,  Butler  was  chiefly 
occupied  by  the  care  of  the  family  property  and  the 
erection  of  a  new  house  more  comfortable  and  conge- 

O 

nial  to  his  tastes.  He  also  devoted  much  time  to  read- 
ing, and  superintending  Sam  Shirk's  advancement,  and 
renewing  his  old  associations.  He  had  made  a  visit  to 
Mr.  Wilmot's  family,  among  other  old  friends,  where 
he  was  received  with  the  usual  cordiality.  But  when 
the  conversation  was  turned  upon  Mary,  Mrs.  Wilmot 
entertained  him  to  such  an  extent  with  the  accomplish- 
ments of  her  young  theological  cousin,  with  whom  the 
young  lady  was,  according  to  her  letters,  so  agreeably 
employed  in  an  extensive  course  of  reading  and  study, 
that  he  was  induced  to  cut  short  his  call,  and  felt  little 
inclination  to  repeat  it.  Although  her  mother  made  no 
special  allusion  to  the  nature  of  their  intimacy,  and 
perhaps  thought  of  nothing,  herself,  but  of  her  maternal 
satisfaction  in  the  acquirements  of  her  daughter,  his 
preconceived  ideas  led  him  irresistibly  to  conclude,  that 
their  intercourse  had  undoubtedly  other  charms  for 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        105 

both  parties  than  the  interest  belonging  to  their  mutual 
studies.  He  naturally  grew  convinced  that  literature 
and  science  were  not  the  only  nor  the  most  powerful 
bond  of  union-,  between  them.  "  Her  cousin  cannot 
but  love  her,"  thought  he,  "  and  he  has  every  chance 
of  winnine;  her  affections.  There  is  little  doubt  how 

o 

it  will  turn  out,  if  he  is  good  for  anything ;  and  per- 
haps he  deserves  her  better  than  I  do.  At  any  rate, 
if  she  prefers  him,  what  right  have  I  to  complain."  So 
pride  and  despair  both  seemed  to  lead  him  to  the  con- 
clusion, that  the  wisest  part  for  him  was  to  resign  his 
hopes  in  that  quarter,  or  at  least  to  prepare  as  well  as 
he  could  for  disappointment.  The  practical  efficacy  ot 
which  philosophical  conjunction  we  can  most  of  us 
estimate  at  its  true  value. 


SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

FOR  a  long  period,  the  weather  had  continued  of 
that  bright  and  equable  serenity  which  almost  makes 
us  believe  that  the  causes  of  elemental  strife  are  at 
rest  forever  ;  and  that  its  quiet  beauty  and  steady  tem- 
perature will  never  be  interrupted  again,  it  seems  so 
perfectly  balanced  and  unexceptionable. 

But,  one  morning,  the  sun  rose  bright  as  ever,  only 
to  veil  the  golden  sheaves  of  the  horizontal  beams  that, 
for  a  few  moments,  flooded  the  waking  earth  with  glory, 
behind  a  long,  low,  leaden  cloud,  which  seemed  to 
have  drawn  itself  across  the  gates  of  the  dawning  day, 
purposely  to  bar  its  sunshine.  At  first  narrow  and 
apparently  insignificant,  it  grew  broader  and  broader, 
and  unrolled  itself  into  long,  gray  folds,  like  a  curtain 
drawn  in  drooping  segments  loosely  over  the  sky,  till 
it  covered  the  whole  heavens,  and  shut  out  at  last  the 
ruddy  reflections  that  lingered  along  the  western  verge 
of  the  horizon.  Then  curling  mists  began  to  gather 
round  the  tops  of  the  inland  hills,  cutting  them  asunder 
in  the  middle,  and  shutting  out  soon  the  whole  upper 
region  of  the  air  with  an  impenetrable  and  gloomy  veil. 
A  subtile  and  vague  chilliness  stole  over  the  fresh, 
clear  atmosphere,  and  presently  low  sullen  gusts  began 
to  creep  in  from  the  ocean,  piling  up  the  salt  vapors 
before  them,  though  almost  imperceptibly  at  first.  The 
chill  breathings  from  the  sea,  sobbing  louder  and  heav- 
ier over  the  land,  soon  swelled  into  strong  and  fitful 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        107 

blasts,  driving  in  their  van  a  dense  fog,  that  gradually 
flattened  itself  out,  between  earth  and  sky,  mto  a  gray 
atmosphere  of  mist  which  wrapped  every  object  in  its 
dripping  and  cheerless  embrace,  till  all  light  and  form 
were  gradually  extinguished  almost  as  effectually  as 
by  the  shades  of  night.' 

By  the  time  the  early-rising  population  of  Merri field 
had  dispatched  their  morning  meal,  the  superincum- 
bent vapors  began  to  drop  earthward,  at  first  in  soft 
and  trickling  dews,  then  in  large,  s'traggling  drops ; 
till  finally  falling  in  unbroken  sheets  of  rain,  they 
turned  the  lower  stratum  of  the  fog  at  once  into  a 
pouring  avalanche  of  water.  The  southeast  wind 
rushed  in  from  seaward  with  constantly  increasing  fury, 
bringing  fresh  supplies  of  moisture  from  the  boundless 
reservoirs  of  the  deep,  which  it  dashed  in  torrents  over 
the  streaming  earth.  The  gutters  and  casual  hollows 
swelled  to  brooks  and  ponds ;  and  the  brooks  began  to 
roar  along  their  channels,  as  they  disgorged  the  sud- 
den flood  in  tumultuous  streams  into  the  river,  which 
soon  exchanged  its  clear,  bright  flow  for  a  turbid  and 
boisterous  current,  as  the  muddy  contributions  of  its 
tributaries  overpowered  the  purer  supplies  of  its  pe- 
rennial fountains.  The  resources  of  the  villagers  for 
the  occupation  of  a  day  that  prohibited  out-door  em- 
ployment were  not  great.  Newspapers  were  unknown, 
and  the  current  literature  of  the  time,  scanty  and  lim- 
ited eveywhere,  seldom  found  its  way  into  such  remote 
corners.  Reading  was  not  a  habit  of  the  period ;  for, 
indeed,  there  was  little  to  excite  or  sustain  any  propen- 
sity to  it.  The  flood  of  books,  adapted  to  all  tastes  and 
capacities,  that  now  issue  daily  from  the  press,  was 
not  then  dreamed  of.  A  single  meagre  and  dingy 
sheet,  published  in  the  metropolis,  was  the  sole  repre- 


108  SAM  SHIRK: 

sentative  of  the  diurnal  tide  of  news  that  now  over- 
spreads the  country  through  countless  channels. 
When  out-door  avocations  were  suspended,  the  males 
were  accustomed  to  assemble  in  the  shops,  as  the  only 
available  points  of  general  intercourse,  to  while  away 
the  time  as  they  best  might. 

Although  Deacon  Hardy  was  far  from  popular,  yet 
his  place  of  business,  as  being  the  largest  and  best 
stocked  for  the  supply  of  general  wants,  was  a  favor- 
ite spot.  Moreover  the  Deacon's  concern  in  the  lum- 
bering business  was  large  ;  and  his  premises  conse- 
quently afforded  facilities  for  employment  to  the  labor- 
ing class,  with  the  important  and  agreeable  concomi- 
tant of  sure  wages,  —  for  Hardy,  though  exacting  and 
penurious,  was  a  regular  and  good  paymaster. 

Consequently,  when  it  became  evident  that  a  steady 
rain  had  set  in,  a  miscellaneous  assemblage  gathered 
at  an  early  hour  and  settled  down  quietly  into  perma- 
nent conclave.  Some  perched  on  the  counters,  some 
sat  on  the  heads  of  the  flour  barrels,  bags  of  coffee,  or 
tobacco  boxes ;  while  a  fortunate  few  occupied  a  pine 
bench  and  three  or  four  dilapidated  chairs,  whose  well- 
whittled  and  battered  outlines  gave  sure  proof  of  long 
service.  A  light  fire  was  kindled  in  the  stove,  to  dis- 
pel the  damp ;  and  pipes  were  lighted,  and  jack-knives 
set  in  operation  upon  shingles,  laths,  and  strips  of  pine, 
to  relieve  the  tedium  of  the  vacant  hours. 

The  whittlers  soon  covered  the  floor  with  a  litter 
that  might  have  been  supposed  distressing  to  a  person 
of  Hardy's  exactitude  and  neatness  ;  and  it  probably 
would  have  been  so,  but  that  it  was  one  of  the  estab- 
lished institutions  of  society  in  Merrifield,  so  universally 
recognized,  that  it  would  not  enter  into  the  most  cen- 
sorious brain  to  quarrel  with  it.  Therefore  the  shop- 


A    TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       109 

keeper  took  the  annoyance,  if  such  he  felt  it,  as  he  did 
the  mud  brought  in  upon  their  feet,  as  inevitable  and 
matter  of  course. 

Sam  Shirk  was  among  the  Deacon's  visitors,  on  this 
occasion,  as  he  very  often  was,  notwithstanding  the 
continual  sparrings  that  marked  their  mutual  antipa- 
thies. For  these  bouts  were  the  source  of  mischiev- 
ous enjoyment  more  than  anything  else,  to  Sam's  reck- 
less and  boisterous  good-humor ;  while  his  antagonist, 
though  always  getting  the  worst  of  the  encounter, 
could  never,  even  in  discomfiture,  bear  to  forego  so 
good  a  text  as  Sam  and  his  delinquencies  afforded  for 
the  moral  disquisitions  which  he  so  much  delighted  in. 
They  were  like  a  pair  of  ill-trained  oxen,  such  as  we 
often  see  hauling  away  from  each  other  as  far  as  the 
yoke  will  let  them,  till  they  incline  like  boats  borne 
down  by  a  heavy  side-wind.  The  awkward  aversion, 
though  it  wastes  the  strength  and  impairs  the  comfort 
of  both,  grows  into  a  habit  so  inveterate  that  neither 
knows  how  to  maintain  his  equilibrium,  without  the 
mutual  burden  of  his  cross-grained  comrade  dragging 
at  his  throat. 

Sam  sat  there  among  the  rest.  But  after  smoking 
several  pipes  and  manufacturing  up  his  shingle  into 
dogs'  heads,  ducks,  and  fishes,  he  got  up  and  went  to 
the  door,  and  looked  out  through  its  glazed  upper  half 
upon  the  storm.  The  rain  dashed  against  the  little 
panes  of  glass  by  pails-full,  with  a  concussion,  as  it 
flew  upon  the  blast,  as  if  a  heavy  wet  cloth  had  been 
thrashed  against  the  sashes.  The  streets  were  covered 
with  sheets  of  water,  and  the  gutters  were  running  in 
furious  clay-colored  torrents. 

"  I  rather  guess,  if  the  rain  holds  on  long  like  this, 
it'll  be  good  drivin'  on  the  river  to-morrow,"  ob- 
served Sam. 


110  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  I  was  thinking  of  that,"  replied  the  Deacon,  from 
behind  his  counter,  "  and  I  think  'twill  be  a  good 
plan  to  get  in  that  lot  of  logs  that  was  hung  up  on 
Little  Falls  this  spring.  The  mills  are  all  pretty  much 
out." 

"  There  wont  be  nothin'  to  hender,  Deacon.  It's  a 
master-rain,  as  ever  I  see." 

"  If  the  river  rises  enough,  I  should  like  to  have 
you  take  charge  of  my  crew,  Shirk." 

"  Very  well,  I  can  as  well's  not.  I'll  be  along 
bright  and  early  in  the  mornin' ;  and  we'll  see  how 
'tis." 

It  may  be  thought  queer  that  Shirk  should  be  the 
first  man  engaged  by  Hardy  for  this  expedition,  con- 
sidering the  contempt  in  which  the  Deacon  held  his  in- 
dustrial accomplishments  in  general.  But  the  trader, 
as  usual,  knew  very,  well  what  he  was  about.  Log- 
driving  is  a  special  matter,  as  it  is  one  of  the  highest 
importance.  It  is  to  the  lumberman  what  the  tour- 
nament or  the  melee  in  battle  was  to  the  chivalry  of 
the  Middle  Ages,  —  the  test  of  courage,  strength,  and 
skill.  Requiring  the  greatest  intrepidity  and  the  se- 
verest exertion,  it  has  also  in  it  a  degree  of  risk,  that 
gives  it  the  peculiar  zest  which  danger  and  difficulty 
have  for  adventurous  spirits.  A  good  river- driver 
stands  among  his  fellows  as  a  gallant  champion  in  the 
lists,  or  a  brave  warrior  in  the  battle-field  did  among 
the  feudal  nobility.  Such  tame  and  dull  labors  as  the 
hoeing  of  corn  and  potatoes  were  distasteful  to  Sam  ; 
but  not  because  he  was  inert,  but  simply  averse  to 
plodding  industry.  These  every-day  matters  did  not 
awaken  his  energies.  He  had  a  settled  contempt  for 
hoes  and  shovels,  but  give  him  a  rifle,  a  fishing-rod,  or 
a  handspike,  and  he  was  sure  to  be  first  among  the 


.1    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        Ill 

foremost.  His  acknowledged  excellence  too,  in  such 
matters,  called  forth  his  personal  pride,  of  which  he 
had  plenty,  when  the  right  stimulus  was  applied.  Sam 
bragged  that  he  was  "  hard  to  beat "  in  any  athletic 
and  exciting  business  or  amusement, —  and  he  had  a 
right  to  do  so. 

On  this  occasion  the  wishes  of  the  mill-owners  were 
amply  fulfilled.  The  rain  continued  to  pour  down  all 
day  and  through  the  night;  and  by  morning  a  heavy 
freshet  was  running  in  the  river.  Instead  of  the  usual 

O 

shoal,  clear  current,  fretting  and  toying  over  the  stones 
and  other  inequalities  of  its  bed,  the  stream  poured 
down  its  channel  in  deep  and.  sullen  strength  ;  and  its 
glassy  and  compressed  waters  rushed  through  the  piers 
of  the  rude  bridge  in  mighty  swirls,  that  shook  the 
rough  fabric  like  a  reed  in  the  wind.  A  fleet  of  chips, 
sla-bs,  and  stray  logs,  immersed  in  a  perfect  porridge  of 
sawdust  and  mud,  covered  its  whole  surface,  as  the 
rising  flood  cleaned  out  all  the  nooks  and  corners  of 
the  shores  of  their  rubbish,  and  ploughed  up  the  torpid 
drift  of  stagnant  pools  and  eddies  before  the  rage  of 
the  accumulated  waters. 

Gangs  of  men  were  already  employed  about  the 
mills,  in  securing  the  logs  in  their  booms,  and  reliev- 
ing the  pressure  upon  the  reeling  dams,  by  opening 
the  flood-gates  to  let  off  the  deluge.  The  rain  was 
still  falling  fitfully  in  showers.;  but  the  breaks  in  the 
clouds,  and  the  still  and  brightening  atmosphere, 
showed  that  the  storm  was  over.  Little  groups  were 
gathered  round  the  shop-doors  of  all  the  business  men. 
The  log-drivers  were  bustling  about,  supplying  them- 
selves with  provisions  and  the  tools  of  their  craft,  —  the 
stout  handspikes  of  tough,  hard  wood,  and  the  long 
slender  spruce  poles,  each  armed  at  the  lower  end 


112  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  sharp  steel  spikes,  and  strengthened  with  iron 
clasps,  like  the  battle-axes  and  spears  of  former  times. 
Their  picturesque  costume  pointed  out  at  once,  to  the 
practiced  eye,  the  men  bound  for  "  the  drive."  They 
stood  about,  resting  on  the  heavy  handspikes,  or  with 
shouldered  pike-poles,  a  little  army,  awaiting  the  sig- 
nal for  the  march.  Bright  red  flannel  .shirts,  the  in- 
variable uniform  of  lumbermen,  gave  to  their  dress  a 
picturesque  semi-military  appearance.  Each  carried, 
thrown  loosely  over  his  shoulders,  or  across  his  arm,  a 
warm,  heavy  overcoat,  to  be  worn  only  at  night,  or  in 
seasons  of  rest  and  inactivity  ;  for,  when  engaged  in 
work,  an  outer  garment  would  be  an  unnecessary  in- 
cumbrance  to  the  free  use  of  their  stalwart  limbs,  that 
asked  on  common  occasions  no  such  effeminate  pro- 
tection. Stout  boots,  whose  heavy  soles  were  studded 
with  iron  cramps  to  give  them  a  safe  hold  upon  the 
slimy  and  slippery  surface  of  the  logs,  completed  their 
equipment,  except  that  every  man  wore  strapped  upon 
his  back  a  small  stock  of  provisions,  and  a  blanket  or 
old  quilt  for  the  nightly  bivouac  upon  the  ground. 

Sam  headed  Deacon  Hardy's  crew,  and  impatiently 
hurried  up  one  or  two  loiterers,  with  an  occasional  em- 
phatic phrase,  that  would  have  drawn  upon  him  a  se- 
vere rebuke  on  ordinary  occasions.  But  the  Deacon 
was  in  a  hurry  too,  to  equip  and  start  his  men,  and 
charitably  withheld  his  censures;  forgiving  the  ex- 
uberance of  Shirk's  zeal  in  consideration  of  his  motive, 
and  perhaps  somewhat  mollified  by  the  reflection,  that 
if  the  foreman  of  his  gang  swore  a  little,  it  was  done 
for  his  own  interest  and  at  somebody  else's  expense. 
The  stimulated  activity  of  the  men  was  his  gain,  while 
the  responsibility  of  the  means  rested  on  Sam.  Be- 
sides, the  advantage  was  palpable  and  direct,  and  the 
harm  somewhat  theoretic  and  remote. 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOVDS  OF  MAINE.        113 

Just  as  they  were  moving  off,  Butler  came  up  suit- 
ably attired,  with  a  light  handspike  on  his  shoulder, 
and  joined  them. 

"  What,  Mr.  James,  you  an't  goin'  onto  the  river, 
be  you  ?  "  asked  Shirk. 

"  Yes,  I  am,  though,  Sam ;  we  have  some  logs  in 
the  drive  ;  and  although  I  can't  do  much  among  you 
water-rats,  I  mean  to  go  up,  if  it's  only  to  see  the  fun. 
It  will  be  a  rarity  to  me  you  know." 

"  Well,  we  are  ready,  and  shall  be  glad  of  your 
company,  all  of  us.  I'll  guarantee." 

So  saying  Sam  strode  off,  Butler  taking  a  place  by 
his  side,  while  some  "  drivers,"  whom  he  had  brought 
with  him,  fell  into  the  rear  with  Sam's  squad.  They 
walked  rapidly  on  over  the  rough  street  that  ran  up 
the  eastern  shore  of  the  river ;  then,  leaving  its  valley, 
climbed  a  steep  hill  which  led  them  to  the  table-lands 
above,  in  order  to  avoid  a  deep  bend  of  the  stream 
which  here  trended  to  the  westward  far  out  of  their 
course.  After  crossing  a  belt  of  woods  and  skirting 
for  a  mile  or  two  an  extensive  tract  of  moorland,  they 
reached  the  point  of  action. 

They  then  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  river  again, 
where  it  made  a  slight  curve  in  its  course  through  the 
barren  plains,  which  swept  away  for  miles  on  every 
side,  except  to  the  south,  where  they  were  fringed  by 
the  forest  through  which  the  log-drivers  had  just 
crossed.  But,  for  a  vast  distance  east,  west,  and  north 
lay  a  monotonous  sweep  of  table-land,  sometimes  an 
almost  perfect  level  for  miles,  but  broken,  here  and 
there,  by  sudden  ravines  through  which  little  tributary 
streams  found  their  way  to  the  river.  Its  light  and 
sterile  soil  was  insufficient  to  sustain  a  growth  of  forest- 
trees,  but  copses  of  birch  bushes,  with  an  occasional 
8 


114  SAM   SHIRK: 

clump  of  hackmatacks,  were  scattered  over  its  reaches, 
clothed  on  their  immediate  surface  with  a  tangle  of 
huckleberry  bushes,  hardhacks,  and  other  low  shrubs, 
with  patches  of  feathery  ferns  and  hassocks  of  luxuri- 
ant but  coarse  bent  grass.  Here  and  there  a  gray 
boulder,  covered  with  lichen  and  weather-stained,  rose 
angular,  stark,  and  conspicuous  ;  while,  far  away  on 
every  border,  the  girdling  woods  stretched  over  the 
distant  valleys  and  over  the  rolling  hills.  To  the 
southwest,  Tunk  Mountain,  craggy  and  bleak,  sur- 
rounded by  its  group  of  subordinate  peaks,  broke  the 
sky  line  with  a  huge  chaos  of  precipices  and  towering 
rocks,  scowling  down  upon  the  dark  mantle  of  forest 
that  shadowed  their  huge  flanks.  The  blue  twin  tops 
of  Humpback,  and  the  long  ridge  of  Pleasant  Mountain, 
loomed  on  the  horizon  to  the  north  and  east,  and  dim, 
hazy  summits  far  away  in  the  interior  filled  up  every 
vista  of  the  vast  field  of  forest.  The  stream,  as,  in 
times  long  gone  by,  it  worked  out  its  channel  through 
the  flat  plains,  had  here  encountered  a  ledge  of  slaty 
rock  ;  over  whose  shelving  surface  it  made  its  way  in 
a  hurried  and  impetuous  course,  though  nowhere 
broken  by  perpendicular  falls,  forming,  for  the  space 
of  a  hundred  rods  or  more,  what  in  the  phrase  of  the 
country  are  called  rips  or  ripples.  Along  the  slope  of 
this  rocky  bed  boulders  of  various  size  were  scattered 
irregularly,  sometimes  single,  but  oftener  in  clusters, 
either  the  disintegrated  remnants  of  the  original  sur- 
face of  the  ledge,  or  washed  out  from  the  soil  above 
and  stopped  in  their  downward  path  by  the  inequal- 
ities of  the  rocky  platform.  The  freshet  of  the  spring 
had  lodged  against  these  obstacles  some  logs,  which  in 
their  turn  aided  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  rest,  until 
a  complete  dam  had  been  formed  across  the  entire 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        115 

channel.  The  pressure  of  the  flood,  thus  checked  and 
thrown  back,  served  only  to  pin  the  imprisoned  timber 
more  securely  to  its  rough  anchorage  ;  while  log  upon 
log,  brought  down  upon  the  constantly  rising  tide  of 
the  accumulated  waters,  was  furiously  launched  upon 
the  top  and  rear  of  the  growing  barrier.  An  immense 
mass  of  the  drifting  timber  had  thus  been  piled  up  by 
the  deluge,  until  the  river-bed  was  filled  for  half  a  mile 
or  more  with  innumerable  logs,  interlaced  and  tangled 
together  at  every  possible  angle  of  inclination,  left  by 
the  falling  flood  at  a  height  varying  from  ten  to  twenty 
feet,  like  a  heap  of  gigantic  jack-straws  scattered  by 
the  hand  of  a  Titan.  Some  lengthwise,  some  athwart, 
pushed  up  almost  perpendicularly  into  the  air,  or  hor- 
izontal, the  huge  sticks  formed  a  solid  rampart  of  wild 
perplexity,  that  seemed  to  defy  every  effort  at  disen- 
tanglement and  extrication. 

A  hardy  crew  were  already  scrambling  in  all  direc- 
tions over  this  bristling  chevaux-de-frise,  balancing 
their  heavy  handspikes  like  rope-dancers,  as  they 
sprang  from  point  to  point,  and  examined  carefully  the 
position  and  arrangement  of  the  timber,  if  such  terms 
may  be  applied  to  such  a  mass  of  interminable  confu- 
sion. They  moved  as  easily  over  the  snarled  surface 
as  revelers  upon  the  floor  of  a  ball-room ;  while  the 
river,  now  again  swollen  to  a  flood,  chafed  and  strug- 
gled in  foaming  eddies  to  force  its  clogged  passage 
through  the  barricade.  The  undertaking  of  "  break- 
ing the  jam ''  would  have  seemed  hopeless  enough  to 
uninitiated  eyes,  but  was  a  familiar  matter  with  them  ; 
and  unusual  difficulty  and  danger,  such  as  were  prom- 
ised in  the  present  case,  stimulated  rather  than  daunted 
their  trained  daring.  The  leaders  of  the  crews  con- 
tributed by  the  various  log-owners,  collecting  together 


116  SAM  SHIRK: 

upon  the  front,  carefully  explored  the  bearings  of  the 
prominent  logs  upon  the  rocks  and  upon  each  other, 
to  ascertain  where  they  might  best  hope  to  make  a 
breach,  and  give  vent  for  the  passage  of  the  superin- 
cumbent mass  behind.  To  find  the  Gordian  knot  that 
tied  the  whole  together  was  the  first  thing  to  be  done. 
After  considerable  deliberation,  the  red-shirted 
Garibaldis  of  the  woods  settled  upon  the  probable  key 
of  the  position  and  made  their  arrangements.  Butler, 
with  a  crew  of  lighter  hands,  superintended  the  clear- 
ing away  of  the  flanks  and  front,  of  everything  that 
might  check  progress  anew  ;  while  a  crew  of  expe- 
rienced veterans  commenced  working  out  a  tunnel 
through  the  bristling  forehead  of  the  jam.  Lighten- 
ing for  a  space  the  superincumbent  pressure,  by  pry- 
ing and  rolling  off  into  the  stream  below  such  of  the 
upper  logs  as  could  be  moved,  they  cautiously  dug 
their  way  down,  till  the  lower  strata  of  timber  began  to 
show  themselves  among  the  frothing  swirls  of  the  fierce 
currents,  that,  having  fought  their  devious  way  thus 
far,  boiled  out  in  furious  freedom  at  the  lower  verge. 
It  now  became  necessary  to  proceed  with  the  extrem- 
est  prudence,  as  the  liberation  of  a  single  stick  mio-ht 

i  o  o 

free  the  whole  tremendous  mass  to  rush  down  unre- 
strained, before  the  incalculably  powerful  pressure  of 
the  flood,  which,  dammed  up  upon  its  rear,  was  tossing 
with  dreadful  force  through  all  its  throbbing  and  heav- 
ing interstices.  Sam  Shirk  and  the  other  foremen 
therefore  called  off  their  crews  to  lunch  and  rest 
awhile  from  their  severe  labors.  While  the  mass  of 
the  men  lounged  and  refreshed  themselves  upon  the 
shores,  the  more  experienced  leaders,  with  a  cracker 
in  their  hand  or  pipe  in  mouth,  once  more  carefully 
surveyed  the  indications  by  which  further  movements 
should  be  determined. 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        117 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

AT  the  expiration  of  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  the  river- 
drivers  assembled  again  around  their  leaders.  Shirk 

O 

and  Butler  had  employed  the  interval  in  a  walk  up 
the  stream ;  and  Sam  made  his  report,  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  water's  gettin'  down  from  up  above  and  risin' 
fast ;  and  the  logs  begin  to  squirm  and  kick  lively  at 
t'other  end.  The  jam  an't  so  deep  there,  but  they're 
pilin'  down  fast  from  up  stream.  Jest  hear  'em  ! J> 
As  he  spoke,  the  heavy  thud  of  the  drifting  logs,  as 
they  dashed  upon  the  upper  end  of  the  jam,  was 
plainly  audible  at  short  intervals.  "  We  must  do 
quick  what  is  done.  The  water,  I  expect,  will  be 
a-gainin'  all  day.  But  'twan't  a  long  rain,  tho'  'twas 
a  terrible  smart  one ;  and  the  freshet'll  run  away  to- 
night pretty  much,  'cordin'  to  my  idees.  If  we  can't 
start  'em  this  arternoon,  it'll  be  all  day  with  us." 

Shirk's  conclusions  met  with  a  general  concurrence  ; 
and  it  was  decided  that  no  time  must  be  lost  to  break 
through  the  front  of  the  jam,  if  possible. 

"  'Twon't  do  no  harm  to  be  a  little  careful  nuther," 
observed  a  muscular,  wiry,  gray-haired  man  who  stood 
by,  leaning  on  his  heavy  handspike.  "  There's  a  tre- 
menduous  head  o'  water  gittin'  up,  as  Shirk  says  ; 
these  rocks  -an't  very  large,  and  altho'  they  hold  the 
logs  hard  enough  now,  when  they  do  start  they'll 
start,  I  tell  ye,  boys.  You'd  better  be  ready  to  stan* 
round  smart  when  they  go." 


118  SAM  SHIRK: 

This  caution  also  met  the  general  approval ;  and 
measures  were  taken  accordingly.  A  large  crew  was 
set  to  work  again  to  lighten  the  front  and  top  of  the 
jam  of  every  log  that  could  be  moved  ;  while  half  a 
dozen  chosen  and  resolute  men  resumed  the  hazardous 
operation  of  picking  out  the  tangled  mass  at  the  point 
where  a  lane  had  already  been  partially  opened  up  in- 
to the  ragged  wall ;  a  channel  of  considerable  width 
between  two  of  the  largest  rocks,  and  nearly  in  the 
centre  of  the  stream,  affording  here  the  best  chance  of 
working  out  a  free  passage.  Though  the  rain  had 
ceased  some  hours  since,  the  tributaries  of  the  river 
among  the  hills  above  were  still  disgorging  into  it  their 
swollen  contributions ;  and  the  freshet  was  about  at  its 
greatest  height. 

The  surface  of  the  jam  trembled  and  quivered  all 
over,  like  the  frame  of  a  man  in  strong  convulsions, 
with  the  struggles  of  the  imprisoned  waters.  A  sub- 
dued, grating  roar  pervaded  the  air,  from  the  restless 
chafing  and  tossing  of  countless  logs  moaning  and  grind- 
ing in  the  fierce  grip  of  the  flood,  to  whose  tremendous 
pressure  they  could  not  yet  yield.  The  waters,  that, 
after  raging  tumultuously  along  the  labyrinthine  mass 
of  timber,  found  their  way  through  at  last,  poured  out 
at  every  opening  in  front  in  jets  of  furious  foam,  or 
compressed  into  black  and  glassy  torrents,  with  a 
wild  impetuosity  and  force. 

Amid  this  bewildering  and  fearful  uproar,  the  res- 
olute crew  still  worked  coolly  on,  though  their  only 
footing  was  on  slippery  logs  over  which  the  spray 
washed  continually,  while  the  beetling  ends  of  the 
timber  above  their  heads  trembled  constantly,  and 
threatened  momentarily  to  sweep  down  upon  them  in 
a  terrible  avalanche.  By  prying,  pushing,  and  lifting, 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        119 

they  disentangled  many  of  the  projecting  sticks ;  but 
the  grim  rampart  still  kept  its  place,  though  appar- 
ently ready  to  totter  down,  at  any  moment,  upon  their 
heads.  The  old  Nestor  of  the  gang  paused,  and, 
sticking  the  point  of  his  handspike  into  the  log  in  front 
of  him,  anxiously  looked  about  him  as  he  wiped  his 
sweating  forehead. 

"  This  won't  do,  boys,"  said  he.  "  Our  handspikes 
won't  reach  far  eno' ;  and  yet  it's  as  much  as  our  lives 
is  wuth  to  work  here  any  longer.  We  must  try  to 
haul  out  some  o'  those  chaps  in  there  with  the  rope. 
Here,  Bob,  throw  us  the  end  o'  the  hawser." 

The  man  thus  addressed  made  up  in  his  hand  a  few 
coils  of  a  stout  rope  that  lay  upon  the  bank  near  him, 
and  tossed  it  to  the  speaker  within  the  chasm.  It  was 
speedily  made  fast  round  a  prominent  stick,  which  was 
soon  dragged  out  with  main  force,  by  the  united 
efforts  of  the  crew  upon  the  bank.  The  operation  was 
repeated  with  several  more,  and  still  the  mass  was 
unmoved.  But,  the  bottom  of  the  stream  being  nearly 
reached  for  a  considerable  space,  it  had  become  easier 
to  fix  accurately  upon  the  precise  points  of  resistance. 

Deacon  Hardy  and  some  others  of  the  log-owners 
had  just  arrived  from  the  village  to  inquii'e  into  their 
progress ;  and  another  council  was  called  for  consulta- 
tion. 

"  Now,  Deacon,  look  here,"  said  Sam  Shirk,  appeal- 
ing to  his  employer.  "  We  might  work  on  this  way 
from  July  to  Etarnity,  and  not  get  ahead  a  switch,  no 
more'n  ef  we  sot  out  to  lug  the  logs  on  our  shoulders 
over  old  Tunk  Mountain  out  there.  Now  Sam  Laigh- 
ton  here,  and  perhaps  more  on  'em,  knows  better  than 
I ;  but  I  think  I  see  what  wants  to  be  done.  You 
see  that  'ere  stick,  Deacon,  that  lays  right  across  the 


120  SAM  SHIRK: 

middle  channel,  with  each  eend  pinched  hard  agin 
them  two  rocks;  we  can't  clear  it,  for  the  whole  cur- 
rent's runnin'  agin  it  like  destruction  ;  and  there's  six 

O 

or  seven  more  logs  lodged  on  it,  and  a'most  as  many 
hunderd  on  the  furder  eends  o'  them.  Now,  I  say, 
that  log's  got  to  be  cut  in  two." 

"  Well,  Laighton,  what  do  you  say  ?  "  inquired  the 
Deacon,  after  hearing  Sam's  opinion. 

"  I  think  jest  the  same,"  replied  the  veteran. 

"  Well,  then,  we  must  have  it  cut,"  added  Hardy. 

"  Yes,  Deacon,"  continued  Shirk,  "  it's  got  to  be  cut, 
if  we  want  to  start  this  jam,  leastwise  on  this  freshet. 
Afore  we  can  git  it  out  any  other  way,  this  run  o'  wa- 
ter'll  be  all  down.  But  'tan't  none  o'  yer  easy  jobs. 
The  water  breaks  clean  over  it,  and  a  feller'd  need  to 
take  himself  out  o'  the  way  spry  when  he  hits  it  the 
last  clip." 

"  That's  true,  Sam.  Well,  I'll  give  a  silver  dollar 
to  the  man  that'll  chop  it  in  two." 

The  Deacon's  offer  elicited  no  immediate  reply. 
The  men  all  knew  the  peril  of  the  undertaking,  and 
stood  a  moment,  eying  in  silence  the  dangerous  neces- 
sity. Laighton  stuck  his  handspike  up  in  the  ground 
and  went  back  to  the  spot,  carefully  reconnoitring  the 
position  of  the  logs,  the  rest  awaiting  his  conclusion. 
After  a  minute  or  two,  he  rejoined  them. 

"  There  an't  nothing  else  to  be  done,  and  I  s'pose 
if  any  man  can  do  it,  I  can.  But  'tan't  your  silver 
dollar,  Deacon.  'Tan't  wuth  two  cents  time  to  cut 
that  'ere  stick  in  two  on  dry  land,  and  'tan't  so  much 
odds  nuther  that  it's  under  water.  A  feller'll  git  his 
face  washed  enough,  a-choppin',  to  last  him  a  month, 
to  be  sure.  But,  when  a  man's  got  to  resk  his  life,  a 
dollar  an't  o'  no  account,  nor,  for  the  matter  o'  that, 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         121 

a  thousand.  But  I've  driv  on  this  river  ever  sence 
the  fust  loo-  floated  down  it,  and  I  an't  never  seed  the 

o 

thing  yet  that  wanted  to  be  done,  that  I  daresn't  do. 
That  log's  got  to  be  cut,  and  I'll  cut  it." 

So  saying,  the  stout  fellow  signed  to  a  comrade  to 
bring  him  an  axe  that  lay  hard  by.  He  passed  his 
finger  over  the  edge,  and,  poising  it  in  his  strong  arms, 
struck  it  through  a  birch  sapling  at  his  side. 

"  I  don't  justly  like  the  hang  o'  that  axe.  Let's  see 
that  other  one."  After  examining  the  edge  of  this  also 
and  dashing  down  with  it  another  small  birch  out  of 
the  clump,  he  threw  it-  over  his  shoulder  and  marched 
steadily  down  upon  the  logs.  There,  selecting  care- 
fully his  position,  he  coolly  but  rapidly  chopped  it  half- 
way through  upon  its  upper  side,  while  the  water 
dashed  all  over  him  under  the  heavy  blows  of  the  axe, 
and  the  broad  chips  flew  up  into  the  air  and  floated 
away  on  the  boiling  eddies  below.  Then,  turning  his 
face  down  stream,  he  proceeded  to  cut  through  the 
forward  portion.  As  blow  after  blow  fell  splashing 
through  the  foam,  and  slice  upon  slice  widened  the  gap 
in  the  remaining  wood,  the  silent  spectators  on  the 
banks  held  their  breaths  in  anxious  expectation,  and 
clutched  their  handspikes  convulsively  in  their  strong 
hands,  that  trembled  with  repressed  excitement.  Pres- 
ently a  sharp  crack  told  that  the  nearly  severed  log 
had  yielded  to  the  vast  pressure  upon  it ;  and  its  dis- 
united parts  bulged  slowly  outwards.  Laighton  threw 
his  axe  upon  his  shoulder,  and,  springing  from  log  to 
log  and  rock  to  rock,  cleared  the  mouth  of  the  gap  in 
which  he  had  been  working  and  sped  to  the  shore. 
Hard  upon  his  heels,  half  a  dozen  sticks  shot  like 
arrows  through  the  aperture  he  had  made,  borne  upon 
an  impetuous  gush  of  water  that  filled  the  channel 


122  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  its  dark,  concentrated  current,  flecked  with  foam. 
The  low,  grinding  murmur  of  the  writhing  timber 
behind  deepened  into  a  roar,  that  filled  the  air  with 
that  rush  and  swell  of  sound  that  accompanies  all 
resistless  impetus  ;  the  whole  surface  of  the  jam  trem- 
bled and  vibrated  with  a  mighty  convulsion ;  and,  as 
the  logs,  tossing  and  pitching,  settled  themselves  to 
their  equilibrium,  when  the  victorious  waters  sucked 
them  down  once  more  into  their  bosom,  the  centre 
gradually  dropped  and  fell  to  a  level ;  and  once  more, 
water-borne  and  free,  they  darted  forth  in  one  concen- 
trated and  tremendous  rush  down  the  narrow  sluice- 
way. Farther  and  farther  up  the  stream  swelled 
the  tumultuous  uproar.  Like  a  herd  of  wild  horses, 
tossing  their  heads  as  they  break  into  their  mad 
stampede  of  flight  and  terror,  the  whole  host  of  ramp- 
ing monsters  burst  in  fury  down  the  channel ;  while, 
above  the  crash  and  thunder  of  the  logs  and  the  wild 
roar  of  the  waters,  rose  a  loud  and  glad  hurra,  the  old 
Anglo-Saxon  battle-cheer  of  struggle  and  of  victory. 
Again  and  again  it  rang  out  above  the  rush  of  the  lib- 
erated flood,  as  it  poured  down,  under,  over,  and  among 
the  sweltering  and  pitching  timber.  But  the  third 
shout  was  broken  by  an  anxious  exclamation  of 
"  Where's  Laighton  ?  "  and  his  name,  loudly  and  hur- 
riedly repeated,  replaced  the  exultant  peal  of  triumph 
with  the  trembling  voice  of  apprehension.  But  no 
answer  came  to  the  call  of  terrible  doubt.  In  the  dead 
silence  that  fell  on  the  inmost  souls  as  well  as  upon  the 
tongues  of  all,  nothing  was  to  be  heard  but  the  boom- 
ing and  grinding  of  logs  and  the  wild  gurgle  of  the 
river.  The  men  looked  into  each  other's  faces,  for  an 
instant,  in  blank  dismay ;  then  all  hurried  to  various 
commanding  points  upon  the  banks. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        123 
The  missing  man  had  last  been  seen  clear  of  the 

O 

chasm  in  the  jam,  and  making  his  way  rapidly  to  the 
shore,  where  a  little  clump  of  bushes  concealed,  for  a 
time,  his  further  progress  from  his  comrades.  But  his 
well-known  skill  and  activity,  together  with  the  fact 
that  he  had  passed  the  point  where  danger  was  chiefly 
to  be  looked  for,  in  safety,  had  removed  all  anxiety  on 
his  account.  In  the  excitement  of  the  moment,  all 
eyes  had  been  diverted  from  him  to  the  spectacle  that 
challenged  everybody's  attention.  His  absence  was 
the  less  likely  to  be  observed,  as  none  who  knew  his 
quiet  and  unpretending  courage,  expected  to  see  him 
press  himself  conspicuously  upon  the  admiring  atten- 
tion of  the  spectators  of  his  daring  exploit. 

The  crowd  were  now  rushing  about  with  that  vague 
and  purposeless  activity  that  blindly  strives  to  meet  an 
unexpected  calamity  ;  and  conjectures  and  suggestions, 
hopes  and  fears,  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth.  But  a 
few  did  not  pause  to  tattle.  Shirk  seized  a  long  pike- 
pole,  and,  balancing  it  in  his  hands,  sprang  unhesitat- 
ingly upon  a  log,  as  it  rushed  by  him  to  join  the  huge, 
tossing,  crowding  fleet  into  which  the  timber  was  draw- 
ing itself  out  below  them.  His  example  was  followed 
by  half  a  dozen  of  the  boldest  and  most  active.  As  the 
unstable  support  to  which  he  intrusted  his  footing  shot 
down  the  boiling  tide,  he  shouted  back  to  them,  "  He 
was  too  far  in  shore  to  be  carried  into  the  main  cur- 
rent :  he'll  be  swept  into  the  eddy  in  the  bend  yonder." 

It  was  a  perilous  and  difficult  navigation  upon  the 
slippery,  slimy  log,  pitching,  rolling,  and  swashing,  as 
it  rushed  down  the  foaming  current,  now  jostling  upon 
its  neighbors,  now  roughly  struck  first  on  one  side,  then 
to  another,  in  the  scrambling,  pell-mell  race.  But  Sam 
and  his  companions  were  as  much  at  home  upon  the 


124  SAM  SHIRK: 

treacherous  and  restless  surface  they  were  traversing, 
as  other  men  upon  the  paved  sidewalks  of  cities,  and 
piloted  their  rude  barks  skillfully  through  all  obsta- 
cles, adding  to  their  already  frantic  speed  by  pushing 
along  to  their  utmost  strength,  with  their  long  pike- 
poles.  As  they  flew  through  the  foam,  they  scruti- 
nized narrowly  the  raging  river-bed  for  signs  of  the 
lost  one.  Sam's  activity  and  wiry  muscle  more  than 
kept  the  start  he  had  had  in  the  outset.  Forcing  along 
the  stick  on  which  he  rode  with  might  and  main,  when 
it  became  tangled  in  the  crowded  mass,  he  sprang  from 
it  to  another  and  another,  light  as  a  deer,  and,  alter- 
nately sailing  and  running  over  his  tossing  and  rocking 
pathway,  soon  readied  the  little  cove  where  the  eddy 
concentrated,  and  detained  a  compact  mass  of  timber 
floating  quietly  beyond  the  influence  of  the  current. 

"  Now  look  sharp,  if  you  have  any  eyes,5'  said  he 
to  his  comrades  who  had  followed  hard  after  him  ; 
"  scatter  yourselves,  and  look  as  a  hungry  wolf  does  for 
a  deer.  Ten  minutes  to  a  stunded  man,  under  these 
logs,  is  life  and  death." 

But  exhortation  was  little  needed.  Hither  and 
thither,  in  every  direction,  the  raft  was  swiftly  trav- 
ersed ;  and  a  dozen  more,  who,  shrinking  from  the 
dangerous  but  more  direct  path,  had  run  down  by  the 
shore,  now  poured  in  over  every  quarter  of  the  embayed 
timber ;  and  eager  eyes  peered  down  into  the  water  in 
every  part.  But  so  far  in  vain.  Nothing  was  to  be 
seen  but  the  wet  logs,  glistening  in  the  bright,  cheerful 
sunshine  above,  quiet  and  peaceful  as  if  no  terrible  mys- 
tery of  death  and  sorrow  could  lie  hidden  under  their 
surface,  and  the  still,  turbid  depths  of  the  glassy  waters 
covering  all  below  with  a  veil  dark  and  impenetrable 
almost  as  eternity.  External  Nature  moved  as  ever, 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        125 

calmly  on  —  undisturbed  alike  in  the  broad  smile  of  her 
genial  beauty  and  the  unresponsive  gloom  of  her  deep 
secrets  —  over  the  scene  of  the  brief  struggles  of  hu- 
man agony.  Worried  and  disappointed,  Shirk  stopped 
for  a  moment,  to  throw  an  eager  and  anxious  glance 
around  him.  His  quick  and  excited  perception  was 
instantly  arrested  by  a  little  half-submerged  thicket  of 
alder-bushes  growing  upon  an  advanced  point,  now  cut 
off  from  the  adjacent  banks  by  the  spread  of  the  swol- 
len waters  inundating  the  natural  shore,  and  standing, 
like  a  little  island,  far  out  into  the  flood. 

"  Look  into  that  'ere  clump  of  alders,  Bill  Small," 
he  hallooed  to  a  man  who  was  near  the  spot ;  "  'twould 
be  likely  to  pick  up  anythin'  that  drifted  down  on  the 
fust  rush." 

The  man  obeyed  the  suggestion,  and  an  eager  ex- 
clamation brought  Sam  bounding  to  his  side,  just  as, 
raising  a  dripping  cap  into  the  air,  he  proclaimed  by  a 
shout  his  discovery  of  this  trace  of  the  object  of  their 
search.  "  Clear  away  the  logs,  quicker'n  lightnin'," 
shouted  Sam  to  the  crowd  that  gathered  speedily  about 
them.  "  Clear  away  the  logs,  and  look  over  every  foot 
o' ground.  But  mind  and  don't  rile  up  the  water."  A 
clear  space  was  soon  made  by  the  stalwart  arms  strung 
to  their  utmost  energy  by  hope  and  fear ;  and  a  dark 
object,  prostrate  beneath  the  muddy  water,  illuminated 
to  a  dull,  greenish  yellow  by  the  bright  sunshine  thus 
let  in  upon  it,  revealed  to  the  almost  despairing  search- 
ers the  helpless  form  of  their  comrade.  Three  or  four 
lumbermen,  springing  into  the  stream  up  to  their 
waists,  raised  the  passive  body  from  its  dreary  bed, 
and,  bearing  it  gently  to  the  nearest  shore,  laid  it  ap- 
parently lifeless  upon  the  bank.  Hither  hurried 
Hardy,  Butler,  and  others,  who  had  followed  their 
movements  with  watchful  solicitude. 


126  SAM  SHIRK: 

Sam  Shirk  let  the  broad  shoulders  and  drooping  head 
softly  down  upon  the  sloping  green  turf,  and,  after  one 
mournful  gaze  upon  the  pale  face,  turned  beseechingly 
to  Butler.  "  Now,  James,  you  and  the  Deacon  are 
better  doctors  than  I  be.  Save  his  life  somehow,  for 
God's  sake  !  If  those  confounded  logs  han't  bruised 
him  to  death,  he  can  be  brought  to,  for  he  han't  been 
in  the  water  above  ten  minutes.  Do  somethin'  to  fetch 
him  to  ;  he's  got  a  wife  and  children,  and  he's  as  good 
a  feller  and  as  good  a  driver  as  is  on  'Guagus  River." 

He  then  threw  himself  on  the  ground,  overcome  by 
the  intense  exertions  he  had  been  making  and  the  deep 
grief  of  his  kindly  heart.  Tears  rolled  down  over 
many  rough,  bronzed  cheeks,  as  the  anxious  circle 
watched  the  result  of  the  attempts  to  restore  animation 
to  that  limp  and  motionless  frame,  so  lately  among  the 
most  powerful  and  energetic  of  them  all.  The  wet 
garments  were  replaced  by  contributions  from  the  by- 
standers ;  and  a  soft  warm  bed  was  made  with  thick 
jackets.  Examination  showed  no  fractures  of  the  limbs 
or  very  serious  bruises  ;  but  all  signs  of  vitality  were 
suspended  by  that  terrible  submersion.  To  their  great 
joy,  chafing  by  strong  and  tender  hands,  with  other 
expedients  commonly  used  in  such  cases,  brought  to  the 
wan  lips,  at  last,  a  faint  flutter  of  breath.  A  slight 
flush  replaced  the  deathlike  pallor  of  the  features,  and 
finally  a  little  brandy  poured  down  his  throat  set  the 
subtile  machinery  of  life  feebly  into  play  once  more. 
Intelligent  light  shone,  though  faintly,  from  eyes  no 
longer  fixed  in  the  dull  stare  of  death,  but  unequal  yet 
to  the  task  of  recognition.  As  the  bodily  powers  lazily 
recommenced  their  functions,  his  mind  took- up  again 
the  thread  of  consciousness,  so  rudely  interrupted  and 
so  nearly  severed. 


A   TALE   OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        127 

"  My  axe,  —  I've  dropt  my  axe,"  he  weakly  moaned. 
But  the  lids  dropped ;  and  struggling  nature  kindly 
drew  the  veil  back  again  over  his  faculties,  unable  yet 
to  master  the  crisis  completely. 

"Give  him  a  little  more  brandy,  James,  and  then 
we'll  let  him  lie  quietly  here  in  the  sun.  He'll  be  on 
his  legs  again  presently.  God  be  praised ! "  said 
Hardy. 

The  lumbermen  now  returned  with  lightened  hearts 
to  their  work,  leaving  the  patient  in  charge  of  Butler 
and  the  Deacon.  Headed  by  Shirk,  they  proceeded 
to  roll  and  shove  off  the  logs  which  stuck  too  closely  to 
the  shore  to  be  carried  off  by  the  current,  and  sent 
them,  one  by  one,  to  follow  their  mates  down  the 
stream. 

A  messenger  had  been  sent  to  the  village  to  procure 
a  light  sled  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen,  for  no  wheel-car- 
riage could  reach  the  spot.  In  about  two  hours  this 
simple  vehicle  made  its  appearance,  with  a  straw-bed, 
and  a  feather-bed  above,  spread  over  its  bars, —  making 
a  very  comfortable  means  of  conveyance. 

Laighton  had  by  this  time  quite  recovered  his  con- 
sciousness, and  was  able  to  walk,  though  somewhat 
sore  and  feeble  from  the  shock  his  system  had  under- 
gone. Placing  him  carefully  upon  the  sledge,  they 
started  for  home,  Butler  taking  charge  of  the  docile 

O  ~ 

team,  while  Hardy  walked  by  the  patient's  side. 

The  bland  west  wind  blew  freshly ;  and  the  clear 
sunshine  drew  fragrance  out  of  the  young  leaves  and 
the  green  grass.  Every  breath  of  the  pure  air,  Na- 
ture's great  medicine,  aided  in  the  restoration  of  a 
healthy  tone  to  the  mind  and  body  of  poor  Laighton, 
who  was  soon  able  to  converse  freely  with  his  friends. 

"  Well,  Deacon,"  said  he  cheerfully,  "  I  'arnt  your 


128  SAM  SHIRK: 

silver  dollar  a  little  harder  than  I  calculated,  though  I 
know'd  'twas  a  ticklish  job.  But  Providence  has 
spared  me  awhile,  in  its  marcy.  I  don't  know  what 
would  a'  become  o'  Polly  and  the  children." 

"  Don't  trouble  yourself  about  that,  Laighton,"  re- 
plied James.  "  We'll  take  care  of  all  that.  You  just 
get  well  again  as  fast  as  you  can,  and  don't  worry.  All 
shall  be  made  right  for  you,  and  without  your  getting 
much  in  our  debt  either." 

"  Yes,"  added  Hardy,  whose  heart,  though  dulled 
by  selfishness  and  formality,  was  right  at  bottom,  and 
responded  cheerfully  when  hard  knocks  like  this  were 
made  upon  its  guarded  door,  —  "  yes,  don't  fret  about 
anything,  one  dollar  or  twenty.  'Twill  be  all  the 
same.  But,  if  it  don't  tire  you  to  talk,  do  tell  us  how 
all  this  happened." 

"  Thank  you  kindly,  Deacon.  I  don't  mistrust  you'll 
do  the  Christian  thing  by  me  ;  and  I  hope  in  a  few 
days  I'll  be  as  smart  as  ever  again.  But  as  to  this  'ere, 
I  hardly  know  much  about  it  myself.  It's  all  a  mis- 
maze,  like  a  consarned  ugly  dream." 

"  No  wonder,"  interposed  Butler.  "  A  man  don't 
often  come  out  of  such  a  chance  to  tell  of  it." 

"  You  may  say  that ;  I  thought  I  was  gone  for  it. 
Well,  you  see,  I'd  got  pretty  much  clear  o'  the  jam, 
and  consaited  I  was  as  good  as  safe  ashore.  But  I 
stept  onto  a  log  that  was  jest  startin'  down  stream  ; 
and  afore  I  could  run  the  length  on't,  another  one  came 
down  on't  and  hit  it  in  the  middle,  and  knocked  it  clear 
out  o'  water.  Seemed  as  if  'twould  a  driv  it  into  the 
middle  o'  next  week.  I  an't  slow  on  logs,  but  it  took 
everything  straight  out  from  under  me  ;  and  was  sech  a 
thunderin'  slap,  it  a  kind  o'  stunded  me.  I  jumped  for 
the  next  log ;  but  that  had  got  a  movin'  too,  and  I  fell 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        129 

into  the  stream.  Afore  I  could  pick  myself  up,  a 
whole  heap  of  'em  rushed  right  down  over  me.  I  tried 
to  get  my  head  up,  but  the  logs  was  all  over  me,  and  I 
couldn't  do  it.  They  kep  me  under  and  carried  me 
down  with  'em.  For  a  minit,  I  see  first  a  streak  o' 
light  and  then  a  streak  of  dark  —  then  everything  was 
all  mixed  up,  and  then  I  didn't  know  no  more  till  I 
woke  up  on  the  bank  there." 

"  Thank  Heaven,  it's  no  worse,"  said  Butler. 

"  Yes,  thank  Heaven  and  the  rest  on  ye." 

"  Amen  !  "  said  Hardy. 
9 


130  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XV. 

IT  had  been  one  of  those  tropical  days  which  the 
northern  midsummer  sometimes  though  rarely  brings, 
and  all  the  more  oppressive  from  its  rarity,  when 
the  sun's  rays  seem  in  some  mysterious  manner  to 
double  their  intensity  all  at  once,  and  become  well- 
nigh  unendurable,  — such  as  rustics  significantly  call  "  a 
yaller  day."  The  very  leaves  on  the  trees,  and  espe- 
cially the  more  delicate  plants  of  the  garden,  drooped 
and  wilted  under  the  fierce  heat.  It  boiled  the  pitch 
out  of  the  pine  boards,  and  the  yellow  clay  soil  flashed 
it  back  into  the  face  of  travellers,  so  as  almost  to  scorch 
and  blind  them  at  once.  Animals  of  all  sorts  came  to 
a  unanimous  conclusion  to  drop  the  day  out  of  the 
calendar,  and  cut  its  acquaintance,  as  far  as  possible. 
The  dogs  crept  into  holes  and  cellars,  or  lay  panting 
in  cool  coBners,  their  tongues  lolling  out  of  their 
mouths  dripping  with  perspiration.  The  cows  plunged 
into  the  thick  swamps,  or  rushed  into  the  water,  and 
there  stood  in  patient  endurance.  Even  the  poultry, 
notwithstanding  its  East  Indian  descent  and  its  non- 
conducting mail  of  plumage,  retreated  into  the  inmost 
recesses  of  hen-coops  and  barns,  and,  if  any  eggs  were 
laid  that  day,  it  was  done  in  the  quietest  manner  pos- 
sible ;  for  not  a  cackle  broke  the  torrid  hush  of  the 
noontide,  nor,  indeed,  did  any  other  living  sound. 
Physical  energy  was  too  valuable,  just  then,  to  be 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        131 

wasted  in  noise.  All  human  beings  suspended  their 
daily  tasks,  in  sheer  exhaustion,  and  strewed  them- 
selves about  indiscriminately  in  the  coolest  or  rather 
the  least  hot  places,  in  the  vain  attempt  to  get  some 
relief  out  of  the  baffling,  weakling  western  breeze, 
which  was  just  enough  to  tantalize  with  a  vain  hope  of 
comfort.  The  very  air  seemed  parched  and  dead,  con- 
verted into  a  spiritless  and  effete  ghost  of  air. 

The  river  alone  kept  along  as  usual,  and  rippled  and 
sang  in  perfect  content,  shimmering  back  in  scorn  the 
rays,  which  revenged  themselves,  nevertheless,  by  boil- 
ing up  all  the  little  tomcods  imprisoned  in  the  shallow 
pools. 

Sunset  and  the  dewy  damp  of  evening  came,  at  last, 
to  the  relief  of  the  panting  world  ;  and  the  village 
poured  itself  spontaneously  out  of  doors,  rejoiced  to 
escape  the  monotonous  discomfort  of  the  tedious  day. 
The  night  was  still  warm  enough  to  impart  an  unusual 
languor  to  the  scene.  The  boys,  instead  of  keeping 
up,  as  commonly,  an  incessant  skirmishing  and  uproar 
about  the  rough  street,  followed  the  more  quiet  exam- 
ple of  their  elders,  and  ranged  themselves  upon  the 
piles  of  lumber,  where,  in  default  of  more  active  occu- 
pation, they  whistled,  shouted,  and  laughed.  The 
more  public-spirited  dogs  waited  upon  their  masters  to 
the  usual  place  of  the  evening  gathering ;  but,  instead 
of  chasing  the  neighboring  cats,  or  rushing  in  among 
the  boys,  on  occasion  of  some  especially  animated 
escapade,  or  getting  up  little  debates  among  them- 
selves, laid  about  panting  and  looking  philosophically 
abstracted  from  all  earthly  considerations.  The 
women  and  girls  were  gossiping,  in  quiet  clusters, 
round  the  doors  of  the  houses ;  and  the  men,  though 
assembled,  according  to  custom,  at  the  corners  of  the 


132  SAM  SHIRK: 

bridge,  discussed  such  matters  as  came  up  with  less 
than  their  ordinary  animation,  and  with  none  of  the 
episodes  of  practical  joke  and  rough  outbreaks  that 
often  diversified  the  village  councils. 

The  long  summer  twilight  had  nearly  drawn  to  its 
close,  and  many  had  risen  to  seek  their  homes  for  the 
night,  when  an  adventurous  puppy,  whose  juvenile 
restlessness  had  broken  through  the  general  indolence 
and  led  him  off  on  some  private  errand,  set  up  a  vocif- 
erous barking  a  little  distance  down  the  road.  The 
alarm  was  repeated  from  the  throats  of  a  dozen  recum- 
bent sympathizers,  scattered  round  about  their  masters ; 
and  the  attention  of  the  crowd,  both  biped  and  quad- 
ruped, thus  concentrated  upon  the  spot,  soon  discov- 
ered the  object  of  the  outcry  in  a  wagon  slowly 
approaching  behind  a  horse  seemingly  exhausted  by 
toil  and  heat.  Not  even  the  near  neighborhood  of 
food  and  rest,  of  which  his  instinct  must  have  apprised 
him,  seemed  to  inspire  with  freshness  the  weary  pace 
at  which  the  over-done  animal  dragged  one  foot  after 
the  other.  Even  this  slow  progress,  however,  soon 
brought  the  vehicle  sufficiently  near  to  enable  the  curi- 
ous crowd  to  distinguish  the  persons  of  its  occupants. 

The  driver  was  apparently  a  slender  and  somewhat 
tall  young  man  of  the  age,  perhaps,  of  twenty-two  or 
three  years,  with  well-formed  features  and  a  mild  and 
pleasant  expression.  The  only  defect  of  his  face  was, 
that  it  wore  that  vague,  unpractical  air  of  simplicity 
which  so  often  marks  familiarity  with  books  rather 
than  with  men.  This  indication  was  confirmed  by 
the  black  dress  and  "white  cravat,  which  almost  conclu- 
sively proclaimed  him  a  clergyman.  He  was  unknown 
to  the  villagers ;  and  his  appearance  elicited  little 
comment.  But  Rob  Campbell  jogged  the  elbow  of 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        133 

one  of  his  comrades  and  said  in  a  low  tone,  "  A  decent- 
looking  chap,  Tonft,  for  a  minister  ;  but  I  don't  believe 
he  knows  a  rifle  from  a  bean-pole,  and  anybody  can 
see  he  don't  know  how  to  put  a  horse  over  the  road. 
That's  Mary  Wilmot  with  him,  sure.  It  must  be  the 
young  minister  they  say  she's  going  to  marry.  I  don't 
think  she  need  have  gone  to  the  Kennebec  to  get  a 
smarter  husband  than  that." 

"  I'm  afraid  you're  jealous,  Rob  !  " 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it.  Mary's  a  nice  girl,  and  as  hand- 
some as  ever,  and  the  man  that  gets  her  shouldn't 
complain  of  his  luck.  But  I  have  no  complaint  to 
make,  take  whom  she  may." 

James  Butler,  after  spending  the  hot  day  at  home 
with  his  books  and  papers,  had  sauntered  out  some  time 
before,  to  enjoy  the  freshness  of  the  evening  with  his 
neighbors,  and  had  been  leaning  against  a  pile  of  shin- 
gles, while  he  joined  in  the  chit-chat.  All  around 
him  left  their  places,  and  advanced  into  the  road,  to 
see  who  the  travellers  might  be.  But  James,  less 
stimulated  by  rustic  curiosity,  retained  his  position 
with  metropolitan  indifference  to  an  event  that  so 
much  interested  the  quiet  little  community  in  generaL 
He  overheard  the  conversation  of  the  two  youngsters, 
who  happened  to  stand  near  him  ;  and  the  mention  of 
Mary  Wilmot's  name  only  gave  him  a  new  motive  for 
remaining  in  the  background.  His  thoughts  and  feel- 
ings were  plunged  at  once  into  a  whirl  of  confusion 
by  her  unexpected  coming.  Uncertain  and  anxious  as 
he  felt  as  to  the  position  they  were  to  sustain  to  each 
other  in  the  future,  he  shrank  with  instinctive  reluc- 
tance from  subjecting  to  the  public  gaze  his  first  meet- 
ing with  her,  from  which  so  much  was  to  be  hoped 
and  feared.  He  therefore  withdrew  himself  behind 


184  SAM  SHIRK: 

his  opportune  shelter,  so  that  he  stood  in  no  danger  of 
being  recognized  in  the  faint  twilight,  and  scanned 
with  eager  curiosity,  from  his  safe  hiding-place,  both  of 
the  travellers.  As  the  light  wagon,  the  only  vehicle 
that  could  be  used  with  comfort  or  safety  upon  the 
rough  and  dangerous  roads  of  that  wild  region,  made 
its  way  slowly  through  the  crowd  that  had  gathered 
round  the  path,  the  graceful  and  well-developed  form 
and  bright  and  amiable  face  of  the  young  lady  were 
exposed  plainly  to  his  interested  scrutiny,  while  she 
exchanged  her  greetings  with  the  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances that  pressed  around  to  welcome  her.  The 
maiden's  appearance  justified  even  the  fond  picture 
that  Butler  had  so  long  carried  treasured  up  in  his 
memory.  The  pretty  and  warm-hearted  girl  had 
indeed  grown  into  a  beautiful  and  lovely  woman.  In 
the  turmoil  of  excitement  occasioned  by  the  sudden 
appearance  of  the  living  beauty  that  had  been  for 
years  the  absorbing  fancy  of  his  heart,  James  could 
do  nothing  but  stare,  as  if  in  a  dream.  Had  he  been 
less  bewildered  by  the  surprise,  he  might  have  noticed 
that  Mary's  eyes  wandered  abstractedly,  as  if  in  search 
of  something  expected  but  not  found,  while  she 
replied  to  the  salutations  that  met  her  on  all  sides. 
But  he  did  not;  and  it  was  not  until  the  wearied 
horse  broke  into  a  trot,  over  the  smooth  planking  of 
the  bridge,  that  rapidly  removed  the  carriage  from  his 
front,  that  he  even  thought  to  look  at  the  person 
whom  he  supposed  to  be  his  rival.  One  sharp  glance 
at  that  important  personage  in  the  drama,  as  he  was 
compelled,  however  reluctantly,  to  consider  him, 
brought  him  very  much  to  the  conclusion  expressed 
by  Robert  Campbell.  For,  while  the  air  of  educated 
intelligence  and  the  gentlemanly  exterior  left  but  slen- 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        135 

der  excuse  to  quarrel  with  the  young  lady's  taste,  he 
could  not,  himself,  regard  him  as  the  sort  of  compet- 
itor in  whose  success  he  could  very  contentedly  acqui- 
esce. It  was  not  easy  for  him  to  draw  any  satisfac- 
tion from  the  examination,  consider  it  which  way  he 
would. 

A  portion  of  the  loiterers  followed  the  travellers 
across  to  the  door  of  the  little  tavern  on  the  other  side 
of  the  bridge  ;  some,  desirous  of  more  leisurely  com- 
munication with  their  young  townswoman,  and  oth- 
ers, simply  seeking  to  make  the  most  of  this  variation 
of  the  usual  uneventfulness  of  Merrifield  life.  The 
rest  turned  toward  their  homes,  to  carry  the  news 
to  their  wives  and  children.  Butler  was  left  alone, 
with  the  exception  of  Sam  Shirk,  who,  in  his  enthu- 
siastic affection  for  his  young  patron,  followed  him 
like  his  shadow  wherever  decorum  permitted  him. 

"An't  you  going  over  to  welcome  Mary  Wilmot 
home,  Mr.  James  ?  You  and  she  used  to  be  as  thick 
together  as  mischief,  in  old  times." 

"  Yes, —  no, —  Sam  ;  not  to-night,  I  think.  It's  late, 
and  she  must  be  very  tired  after  such  a  day's  ride. 
But  why  do  you  call  me  Mr.  James,  Sam  ?  We  are 
not  ceremonious  with  each  other,  here  in  the  woods. 
Why  not  say  James,  as  in  the  old  times  you  spoke 
of?" 

"  Indeed,  I  should  like  to.  It  seems  pleasant  to  call 
folks  we  like  best  by  their  own  names.  But  it  some- 
how don't  seem  as  if  I  had  a  right.  When  we  was 
both  boys,  it  was  different.  You  are  the  best  man  in 
'Guagus  now,  and  I  an't  nobody." 

"  O  yes,  you  are  somebody,  Sam,  and  I  wish  you  to 
think  so,  and  that  other  people  should  too.  Now,  if 
you  speak  to  the  best  man  in  'Guagus  as  if  you  were 


136  SAM  SHIRK: 

afraid  of  him,"  added  Butler,  laughing,  "  I  am  afraid 
the  worst  ones  may  take  it  into  their  foolish  heads  to 
think  you  are  nobody.  And  that's  just  the  reason  I 
would  wish  you  to  speak  to  me  as  freely  as  others  do." 

"  O,  thank  you,  thank  you,"  replied  Sam  in  a  voice 
tremulous  with  emotion.  "  That's  just  like  you.  And 
sure  enough,  if  you  let  me  call  you  James,  they 
needn't,  none  of  'em,  undertake  to  be  uppish  with  me, 
and  I  shouldn't  mind  if  they  did ;  and  I'd  give  any- 
thing to  know  you'd  like  to  have  me." 

"  I  should  like  to  have  you  do  so,  Sam,  for  my  own 
part,  and  for  the  reason  I  have  given  you.  So  do  it,  in 
future,  if  you  please.  There  is  but  one  thing  you  need 
be  troubled  about,  Sam,  and  that  is  no  fault  of  yours  ; 
but  it  will  be  your  fault,  if  you  don't  try  to  remedy  it. 
You  have  not  had  much  chance  to  learn  ;  and  to  put 
yourself  right,  you  should  learn  to  read,  write,  and 
cipher  well,  at  least.  Don't  you  think  so  ?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed, —  I've  often  thought  on't ;  and  I've 
tried  it  some.  But  I've  had  a  poor  chance,  as  you 
say." 

"  Well,  come  to  me,  Sam,  and  I'll  try  to  put  you  in 
the  way.  You  wouldn't  like  to  go  to  school  with  the 
boys  ;  but  I  think  I  should  make  a  tolerable  .master, 
and  I've  plenty  of  time  to  teach  you  in.  Come  on 
rainy  days,  and  on  any  afternoons  that  you  can  spare. 
I  spend  those  times  in  my  own  room,  in  studying, 
myself." 

"  You  study  !  "  cried  Sam,  in  amaze  ;  "  why,  I 
thought  you'd  larnt  everything !  " 

"  O  no,  Sam, —  not  yet.  There  are  several  little 
matters  I  intend  to  look  up,  as  I  find  time.  "Why,  Sam, 
if  you  were  to  study  a  hundred  years,  you  would  prob- 
ably find  more  things  you  desired  to  learn,  at  the  end 
of  it,  than  when  you  began." 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.       137 

"  Then,"  replied  Sam,  laughing,  "  I  hardly  see  the 
use  of  beginning." 

"  O  yes,  don't  be  frightened :  less,  a  good  deal,  will 
do  for  you  and  me.  You  can  stop  before  you  get  to 
your  hundredth  year,  if  you  choose.  But  we'll  try  to 
manage  the  reading  and  writing,  at  any  rate,  —  and 
now,  good-night." 

"  Good-night,  sir." 

Sam  then  went  back  to  his  own  log-house,  which, 
humble  as  it  was,  was  of  far  more  real  value  to  him 
than  many  a  magnificent  mansion  and  broad  domain  is 
to  its  owner;  and  Butler  returned  slowly  and  thought- 
fully home.  He  paused  a  moment  at  the  gate  ;  and 
observing,  as  he  looked  around,  that  most  of  the  village 
lights  were  extinguished,  and  the  remaining  ones 
were  rapidly  disappearing,  he  felt  that  relief  which  we 
have  all  experienced  when  events  take  out  of  our 
hands  the  necessity  of  deciding  a  troublesome  question. 
As  he  went  towards  the  door,  he  said  to  himself, 
"  One  point  has  settled  itself,  at  any  rate.  It's  entirely 
too  late  to  see  her  to-night,  according  to  Merrifield 
ideas." 

His  mother  was  sitting  up  for  him,  knitting-work  in 
hand,  but  frequent  yawns  and  the  intermittent  click- 
ing of  the  needles  plainly  told  that  she  was  getting 
drowsy.  James  kissed  her  as  usual,  and  took  up  his 
candle  to  go  up-stairs,  but,  before  he  bid  good-night, 
said  with  a  tone  of  imperial  indifference,  "  Mother, 
Mary  "Wilmot  came  home  just  now." 

"  You  don't  say  so,  James  I  I  declare  !  where  did 
she  come  from,  and  how  did  she  come  ?  " 

"  She  came  from  somewhere  between  here  and  Ken- 
nebec,  I  presume,  mother.  And,  as  to  the  how,  it  was 
in  a  light  wagon,  driven  by  a  young  gentleman  with  a 


138  SAM  SHIRK: 

black  coat,  white  neckerchief,  ditto  hair,  and  blue 
eyes,"  replied  James,  curtly. 

"  O  I  "  said  the  unsuspicious  and  unobservant  dame, 
"  that  must  have  been  her  cousin,  that  she's  engaged  to 
marry.  Why  didn't  she  stop  with  us  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  mother.  I  had  no  chance  to  speak 
to  her." 

"  Indeed !  "  rejoined  the  dame,  struck  with  a  momen- 
tary wonder  as  to  what  might  have  been  the  obstacles 
in  the  way.  But  she  was  too  sleepy  to  follow  up  the 
inquiry,  and  only  added,  "  Well,  she'll  come  over  to 
see  us  in  the  morning,  no  doubt." 

So  they  parted  for  the  night ;  and  James,  repeating 
to  himself,  as  he  went  up-stairs,  "  She'll  come  over  to 
see  us  in  the  morning,  no  doubt,"  blew  out  his  candle 
after  lighting  a  cigar,  and  drawing  a  chair  to  his  cham- 
ber window,  put  his  feet  up  on  the  sill,  and  gave  him- 
self up  to  thought,  for  he  felt  no  inclination  either  to 
read  or  sleep. 

It  was  a  sluggish  and  listless  evening  still.  The 
stars  shone  dreamily  through  the  thin  veil  of  vapor 
which  the  earth  had  been  perspiring  from  every  pore 
all  day  into  the  air.  The  yellowish  track  of  the  road 
lay,  like  a  faint-hued  ribbon,  up  and  down  the  bank 
of  the  stream.  Here  and  there,  a  detached  tree  or 
cottage  showed  a  hazy  outline  against  some  marked  back- 
ground ;  but  the  little  valley  lay  like  an  inscrutable 
phantom  under  the  drowsy  shadows,  faintly  suggesting 
an  invisible  landscape.  On  the  summits  of  the  hills 
that  hemmed  it  around,  the  undulating  tree-tops  met 
the  sky-line,  in  shadow  rendered  deeper  by  the  contact 
of  the  .partially  illuminated  heavens.  All  else  was 
sombre  vacancy,  except  the  faint  reflection  from  the 
river  under  the  twinkle  of  the  stars.  There  was  noth- 


A   TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        139 

ing  to  be  heard,  but  at  intervals,  the  barking  of  a  dog 
or  the  low  tinkle  of  a  cow-bell,  save  the  distant  plunge 
of  the  water  over  the  mill-dams  and  the  murmur  of  the 
stream  below,  giving  out  a  monotone  so  undefined  and 
continuous  as  scarcely  to  seem  a  sound,  and  attracting 
the  permanent  attention  of  the  ear  hardly  more  than 
the  soft  sighings  of  the  light  evening  breeze. 

The  deep,  calm  quiet  soon  soothed  the  tumultuous 
heart  of  Butler ;  and  when  he  had  finished  his  cigar, 
he  had  reached,  through  a  tangle  of  thoughts  which 
we  shall  not  attempt  to  describe,  certain  conclusions, 
neither  very  profound  nor  satisfactory,  but  seemingly 
all  that  were  then  attainable. 

First,  he  settled,  to  his  own  mind,  that  Mary  Wil- 
mot  was  worthy  of  any  man's  admiration  and  love. 

Secondly,  that  all  appearances  indicated  that  she 
was  betrothed  to  her  cousin. 

Thirdly,  that  all  he  could  do  was  to  wait  and  see 
what  time  would  disclose. 

Meanwhile,  Mary  herself  was  sitting  at  a  window 
not  forty  rods  across  the  river,  but,  for  any  practical 
purpose,  as  far  as  if  the  Atlantic  rolled  between  them. 
She  was  not  engaged  to  the  rival  who  was  causing 
Butler  so  much  uneasiness  ;  nor  had  she  ever  dreamed 
of  being  so.  On  the  contrary,  no  small  portion  of  the 
pleasure  she  had  felt  in  returning  home,  arose  from  the 
knowledge,  derived  from  the  letters  of  her  friends,  that 
James  was  in  Merrifield  once  more ;  and  she  felt, 
though  she  hardly  dared  confess  it  to  her  own  heart, 
that  her  recollection  of  her  childhood's  playfellow  still 
remained  the  brightest  and  dearest  of  her  fancies. 
Disappointed  in  not  recognizing  his  face  among  those 
of  her  other  acquaintances  in  the  street,  though  it  had 
been  present  to  her  imagination  throughout  the  weari- 


140  SAM  SHIRK: 

some  journey,  she  sat  for  some  time  in  the  little  par- 
lor of  the  inn,  in  a  fluttered  expectation  of  his  coming, 
which  was  rendered  more  confident  by  the  information, 
soon  obtained  from  her  other  visitors,  that  he  was  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood. 

When  her  expectation  had  gradually  faded  into 
hopelessness,  she  withdrew  to  her  chamber  with  a 
weary  feeling  of  perplexity  and  mortification,  made 
more  painful  by  the  vividly  renewed  recollection  of  the 
happy  anticipations  she  had  tacitly  indulged  through 
the  tedious  day's  ride.  Overcome,  at  once,  by  the 
fatigue  heretofore  postponed  by  the  excitement  of  her 
return,  and  the  sickening  revulsion  of  her  hopes,  she 
threw  herself  at  the  bedside  and  burst  into  a  torrent 
of  bitter  tears.  But,  as  her  wounded  feelings  recov- 
ered from  the  first  shock,  she  wiped  the  tears  away, 
and  sat  calmly  down  to  combat  the  first  serious  grief 
that  had  stained  her  young  life. 

"  How  foolish  and  wrong  I  have  been,"  she  sought 
to  reason  with  herself,  "  to  think  that  he  must  care  for 
me  still,  because  he  loved  me  when  we  were  children 
together !  He  is  grown  into  a  man,  and  is  probably 
absorbed  with  ideas  far  beyond  the  sphere  of  this  little 
place.  He  has  spent  four  years  in  the  company  of 
women  far  more  accomplished,  no  doubt,  all  of  them, 
and  some  probably  more  attractive  in  every  way,  than 
I  can  pretend  to  be  ;  and  why  should  I  expect  that  he 
would  have  remembered  me,  because  I  have  been  un- 
wisely cherishing  his  image  in  my  humble  seclusion? 
Perhaps  he  is  not  only  entirely  indifferent  to  me,  but 
has  purposely  delayed  meeting  me,  as  the  most  delicate 
way  of  showing  me  that  I  have  no  claim  on  his  special 
regard.  Or,  if  not  intentional,  it  is  proof  enough  that 
he  has  no  particular  thought  of  me.  And  I  cannot 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        141 

complain.  I  had  no  right  to  expect  anything  else  ; 
but  I  could  not  help  it,  the  thought  would  come.  In- 
deed, it  has  never  left  me  since  he  kissed  me,  when  he 
said  good-by.  It  is  plain  at  least  what  I  have  to  do ; 
and  that  is  to  forget  my  folly  forever." 

After  a  few  moments  of  sad  retrospection  upon  the 
sunny  days  of  childhood,  in  every  hour  of  which  her 
bright  and  manly  playmate  was  the  central  image, 
she  dismissed  the  once  delightful  but  now  painful  sub- 
ject with  an  effort,  said  her  nightly  prayer,  and  sought 
to  rest  her  weary  body  and  spirit  in  slumber. 

The  first  dawn  of  day  awoke  the  troubled  girl,  and 
recalled,  with  consciousness,  the  galling  sting  of  humil- 
iation and  sorrow.  She  could  not  bear  to  expose  her 
deep  dejection  to  the  eyes  of  the  village,  and  especially 
of  Butler  and  his  mother.  Therefore  she  called  her 
cousin,  and  begged  him  to  drive  her  to  her  home,  some 
ten  miles  up  the  river,  instead  of  leaving  her  at  Merri- 
field,  as  had  been  proposed,  until  her  father  could  come 
for  her.  She  accounted  for  the  change  of  plan  by 
pleading  exhaustion  from  yesterday's  exposure,  and  her 
desire  to  accomplish  her  journey  before  the  day  became 
hot  again.  As  her  companion  was  able  to  pursue  his 
intended  progress  eastward  with  little  additional  travel, 
by  taking  a  by-road  over  the  plains,  nearly  as  direct 
and  quite  as  passable  as  the  sea-shore  route,  he  readily 
assented. 

Butler  too  had  slumbered  lightly,  and  awoke  at  break 
of  clay,  and,  while  awaiting  breakfast,  threw  many  a 
glance  across  the  river,  inwardly  determined  to  learn 
from  Mary  herself  all  that  she  might  please  to  disclose, 
as  soon  as  propriety  permitted  him  to  present  himself. 
But,  before  the  sun  peeped  over  the  eastern  hills,  he 
saw,  with  surprise  and  mortification,  the  two  travellers 


142  SAM  SHIRK: 

leave  the  tavern  together  in  their  wagon  and  take  the 
road  up  the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream.  This  abrupt 
departure  convinced  him  that  his  suspicions  were  well 
founded.  "  There  is  no  doubt  left  now,"  reflected  he. 
"  All  she  cares  for  is  in  that  wagon  with  her,  and  she 
does  not  even  stop  to  shake  hands  with  me."  So  he 
turned  away,  vexed  and  gloomy.  Thus,  two  hearts 
that  yearned  for  each  other  were  sundered,  in  mutual 
suffering,  by  untoward  circumstances  misinterpreted, 
and  sensitive  delicacy  morbidly  indulged,  when  half 
a  dozen  words  of  frank  explanation  would  have  set 
everything  right.  The  like  often  happens  in  this  cross- 
grained  world.  A  large  part  of  our  difficulties  and 
vexations  are  simply  misunderstandings  of  ourselves 
or  our  neighbors. 

At  the  breakfast  table  Mrs.  Butler  observed  James's 
abstracted  air  and  want  of  appetite  ;  and  the  limited 
perspicacity  of  the  excellent  old  lady  ascribed  it  at 
once  to  sickness.  Her  maternal  fears  led  her  immedi- 
ately into  a  long  series  of  conjectures  and  an  equally 
long  catalogue  of  remedies, —  ending  with  a  recom- 
mendation, safe  in  any  possible  case,  that  he  should 
return  directly  to  his  bed.  After  some  trouble,  by  al- 
ternate ridicule  and  strenuous  denial,  her  son  silenced 
if  he  did  not  remove  her  anxiety,  and  was  permitted 
to  account  for  his  lack  of  appetite  by  the  unusual  heat 
of  the  weather. 

"  Well,  my  son,  if  you  are  sure  you  are  not  sick, 
please  run  across  the  bridge  and  ask  Mary  to  come 
over  and  stay  till  she  wishes  to  go  home." 

"Mary  is  gone  home,  mother.  They  started  an 
hour  ago." 

"  Goodness  gracious !  if  that  an't  queer !  But  it 
can't  be  that  Mary  would  go  without  coming  to  see  us, 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         143 

—  after  being  away  for  months.  What  makes  you 
think  she  is  gone  ?  " 

"  I  saw  them  go  with  my  own  eyes,  mother." 

"  Well,  I  wouldn't  have  believed  it.  Mary  never 
was  in  Merrifield  before  without  coming  here.  She 
always  called  me  Aunt,  you  know ;  and  I'm  sure  I 
always  felt  as  if  she  was  my  own  daughter." 

These  comments  of  his  mother  of  course  added  to 
Butler's  confidence  in  his  own  views  of  the  matter,  as 
well  as  not  a  little  to  his  soreness  of  heart.  After  a 
vain  attempt  to  give  his  attention  to  a  book,  he  was 
fain  to  go  out  in  the  hope  of  relieving  his  irritation  by 
active  exercise  ;  while  his  mother,  though  sorely  puz- 
zled, turned  also  to  her  regular  occupations  for  the  day. 

A  few  days  after,  a  note  arrived  from  Mary  which 
further  confirmed  all  parties  in  their  impressions, — 
simply  because  she  had,  as  was  natural  enough, 
guarded  herself  carefully  from  any  reference  to  the 
interesting  questions ;  and  her  silence  was  construed 
into  an  informal  admission  of  everything  of  which  a 
denial  would  have  been  desirable.  It  ran  thus  :  — 

"  MY  DEAR  AUNT  :  I  am  almost  afraid  you  will 
not  allow  me  to  call  you  so  any  longer,  after  being 
such  a  naughty  girl  as  to  leave  Merrifield  the  other 
day  without  coming  to  see  you.  The  truth  is,  that  I 
was  worn  out  with  the  journeying  in  the  heat  all  the 
way  from  Bucksporton  that  dreadful  day,  and  thought 
it  best  to  get  home  in  the  cool  of  the  morning,  for  fear 
that  I  should  be  altogether  done  up.  I  have  been 
spending  my  time  very  pleasantly  on  the  Kennebec, 
and  shall  tell  you  all  about  my  visit  the  first  time  I  see 
you.  Yours  affectionately, 

"MARY  WILMOT. 


144  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  P.  S.  —  I  hear  James  is  at  home  again.  It  must 
be  very  pleasant  to  you  to  have  him  back." 

James  brought  the  letter  to  his  mother,  and  heard  it 
read  with  a  suppressed  sigh.  The  allusion  to  the 
agreeable  sojourn  at  the  Kennebec  and  the  curt  men- 
tion of  himself  seemed  to  stamp  his  surmises  with  the 
seal  of  certainty ;  for  he  attributed  the  indefmiteness 
of  the  explanation  to  a  willingness  to  avoid  all  expla- 
nation upon  a  subject  that  might  be  both  delicate  and 
disagreeable, —  all  which  was  true  enough,  but  for 
very  different  reasons  from  those  which  he  was  dis- 
posed to  conjecture.  He  made  no  comments  ;  and  his 
mother  laid  the  letter  on  her  knee,  and  sat  for  some 
moments  in  silent  meditation.  At  last  she  looked  up 
and  said,  — 

"  What  do  you  think  of  Mary's  letter,  James  ?  " 

"  I  don't  see  that  there  is  much  in  it  to  think  about, 
mother." 

"  Well,"  continued  Mrs.  Butler,  "  it's  strange  to 
me  as  all  the  rest.  Why  didn't  Mary  tell  me  of  her 
engagement  ?  she  knows  how  much  I  think  of  her.  I 
used  to  think  that  you  and  she  would  marry,  my  son ; 
and  I  can't  help  feeling  disappointed.  I  will  ask  her 
all  about  it  the  next  time  I  see  her." 

"  Pray  don't,  mother.  If  she  doesn't  choose  to 
mention  it,  for  any  reason,  it  would  not  be  proper  for 
us  to  ask  questions." 

"  I  don't  see  why  not,  my  son.  She  can  answer 
as  she  pleases." 

"  No,  —  you  must  promise  me  that  you  won't  say  a 
word  more  about  it,  dear  mother.  If  Mary  ever  had 
any  such  idea  as  you  say  you  have  had,  it  would  put 
me  in  a  very  ridiculous  and  disagreeable  position. 


A   TALK   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        145 

We  shall  know  in  good  time,  and  it  is  no  concern  of 
ours.  Now  promise  me,  mother,  not  to  talk  of  it 
with  Mary." 

Mrs.  Butler  reluctantly  promised.  Not  that  she 
precisely  understood  James's  objections  ;  but  she  sup- 
posed that  he  must  be  right,  of  course,  and  could  not 
withstand  his  urgency.  So  this  note  written,  no  doubt, 
with  much  misgiving  and  awkwardness  on  poor  Mary's 
part,  served  but  to  induce  James  to  shut  and  bolt  the 
door  already  half  closed  between  them. 

Some  weeks  after,  Mary  made  a  visit  to  Merrifield, 
and  entered  Mrs.  Butler's  familiar  parlor  in  a  most 
uncomfortable  mixture  of  trepidation,  reluctance,  and 
pleasure.  She  was  cordially  welcomed  by  her  old 
friend,  whom  she  also  had  dearly  loved  from  childhood. 
But  both  soon  felt  themselves  under  a  distressing  re- 
straint, all  the  more  awkward  and  painful,  that  reserve 
was  alien  to  the  frank  and  open  natures  of  each  of  them, 
and  had  never  before  chilled  their  intercourse.  They 
felt  mutually  embarrassed  upon  the  subject  nearest  to 
the  heart  of  both.  Mary  dared  not  introduce  James's 
name,  for  fear  of  betraying  her  feelings ;  neither  could 
she  contradict  the  report  of  her  engagement, —  which 
had  now  reached  her  ears, —  to  him  or  his  mother, 
without  laying  herself  open  to  the  suspicion  of  a  pur- 
pose, the  imputation  of  which  would  be  humiliation 
not  to  be  borne,  however  her  happiness  might  be  in- 
volved in  it.  The  old  lady,  on  her  part,  fettered  by 
her  promise  to  her  son,  did  not  venture  to  allude  to 
the  subject  for  fear  of  offending  his  scruples,  which 
were  even  more  sacred  and  imposing  to  her  because 
she  did  not  at  all  comprehend  them.  The  very  idea 
of  diplomacy  and  concealment  was  fearful  to  her  trans- 
parent simplicity ;  and  she  was  hopelessly  perplexed 
10 


146  SAM  SHIRK: 

by  the  annoying  secret  difficulty  which  she  could 
neither  forget  nor  remove.  Each  hoped  momentarily 
that  the  solution  of  the  mystery  might  be  offered  by 
the  other;  but  explanation  was  impossible  to  both. 

The  kind  old  lady,  however,  urged  her  young  friend 
to  remain  with  her  for  the  day  with  so  much  earnest- 
ness, that  she,  half  joyfully,  half  reluctantly  consented. 
It  happened  unfortunately  that  James  had  gone  out 
in  ignorance  of  Mary's  arrival.  Still  more  unluckily, 
he  had  found  an  errand  to  be  done,  at  a  little  distance, 
and  sent  word  that  he  should  not  be  at  home  to  dinner. 
The  excited  young  guest  had  been,  for  some  time,  sit- 
ting in  tremulous  anticipation  of  his  entrance,  and  the 
message  fell  upon  her  heart  like  a  death-chill.  She 
instantly  convinced  herself,  with  the  self-torturing  in- 
genuity that  so  often  leads  us  to  take  for  granted  what 
we  dread,  that  Butler  was  determined  to  avoid  her. 
Mrs.  Butler,  too,  could  not  but  feel  that  it  had  some- 
thing to  do  with  her  son's  strange  remonstrances,  and 
added  by  her  constraint  and  evident  discomposure  to 
the  impression.  The  poor  girl  sat  in  an  agony  of 
mortification  and  misery,  till  she  could  bear  it  no  long- 
er ;  and  then,  excusing  herself  on  the  score  of  head- 
ache, —  if  excuse  it  were,  when  both  head  and  heart 
ached  to  bursting,  —  cut  short  her  wretched  stay,  and 
hastened  her  departure  home.  "  He  loves  some  beau- 
tiful Boston  girl,"  she  moaned  to  herself,  "  and  thinks 
it  perhaps  the  kindest  thing  he  can  do  to  let  me  know 
that  he  can  never  care  for  me.  And  perhaps  it  is  kind 
of  him,  but  O  !  how  hard  to  bear  !  "  So  she  returned 
half  broken-hearted,  to  bury  her  sorrow  in  the  seclu- 
sion of  her  home,  till  she  could  master  a  feeling 
which,  from  the  fondest  hope  of  life,  had  been  changed 
to  bitterness  and  humiliation. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         147 

Nor  was  Butler  a  whit  less  successful  in  self-decep- 
tion. When  he  heard  from  his  mother  of  Mary's  hur- 
ried leave-taking,  he  took  it  for  granted  that  she 
abridged  the  obligatory  visit  in  order  to  forestall  his 
return.  Matters  were  thus  involved,  all  round,  in  still 
deeper  mystification.  Accident  would,  without  doubt, 
have  cleared  up  the  game  of  cross  purposes  before  long, 
but  that  Mr.  Wilmot's  farm  was  in  a  remote  corner,  at 
a  considerable  distance  from  the  village,  with  which 
intercourse  was  rare  and  difficult.  As  Mary  now 
studiously  confined  herself  at  home,  and  other  members 
of  the  family  seldom  left  it,  —  while  Butler's  pride 
would  not  permit  him  to  force  himself  upon  her  retire- 
ment, —  there  was  no  further  communication  between 
the  two  households  for  along  time.  Mrs.  Butler  won- 
dered and  wondered  to  herself  what  was  the  matter ; 
but  she  was  about  as  likely  to  undertake  a  journey  to 
the  North  Pole  as  to  Mr.  Wilmot's  forest  clearing. 

Dame  Rumor  too,  who  is  sure  to  take  such  matters 
in  hand,  especially  in  small  communities,  —  besides  the 
general  unreliability  of  that  venerable  gossip,  —  was,  in 
this  case,  specially  sure  to  be  at  fault.  In  the  first 
place,  there  was  the  report  from  the  Kennebec,  sub- 
stantiated to  all  appearance  beyond  reasonable  doubt 
by  the  arrival  of  Mary,  under  the  escort  of  her  supposed 
lover.  The  fiction,  too,  was  greedily  believed  by  all  the 
maids  and  matrons  of  Merrifield,  because  Mary  was  a 
formidable  rival  to  the  best  of  them  in  matrimonial 
schemes  in  general,  and  the  well-known  early  attach- 
ment between  her  and  James  lent  an  irresistible 
strength  to  the  predisposition  ;  for  Butler  was  far  the 
richest  prize  in  the  neighborhood.  It  was  a  great  re- 
lief to  the  feminine  half  of  the  community  to  believe 
that  a  young  lady  so  dangerous  was  withdrawn  from 


148  SAM  SHIRK: 

the  market.  Wives  and  sisters,  too,  easily  persuaded 
husbands  and  brothers,  if  they  troubled  their  heads  at 
all  concerning  the  matter,  that  they  knew  all  about  it, 
especially  when  backed  by  such  plausible  premises. 
Therefore  it  was  unanimously  and  conclusively  settled 
that  Mary  was  appropriated  by  the  young  minister. 
If  she  herself  was  ever  questioned  upon  the  point  by 
doubting  curiosity,  her  consciousness  of  the  notoriety 
of  the  former  relations  between  her  and  James  instantly 
led  her  to  think  that  the  inquiry  was  made  with  a  ref- 
erence to  him ;  and  her  consequent  confusion  and  blush- 
ing awkwardness  made  her  denial  appear  like  anything 
but  refutation  of  the  common  belief.  The  disavowal  was 
imputed  to  shyness,  coquetry,  some  unknown  motive 
of  secrecy,  to  anything,  in  short  but  that  it  was  the 
truth.  Thus  everything  conspired  to  build  up  and 
make  impregnable  the  fancied  barrier  between  the 
lovers.  It  was  not  strange,  then,  that  for  months  no 
explanation  should  occur  of  the  universal  blunder. 
There  never  was  a  lie  better  proved. 


A  TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE. 


CHAPTER  XVJ. 

THE  long  hot  days  of  summer  had  passed  quietly 
away,  and  the  atmosphere  began  to  show  signs  of 
approaching  winter.  Long  nights  and  shortened  days 
materially  diminished  the  power  of  the  sun's  rays. 
Mornings  and  evenings  were  cool,  and  now  and  then, 
to  a  slight  degree,  frosty,  and  the  air  in  general  clear 
and  bracing.  Yet,  in  unclouded  weather,  the  brilliant 
sun  gave  to  noonday  a  warmth  sometimes  little  inferior 
to  that  of  summer,  but  free  from  its  sultry  temperature. 
For  the  surface  of  the  earth  was  dry,  and  vegetation 
had  begun  to  ripen  and  wither. 

There  is  no  weather  more  delicious  than  that  of 
early  autumn  in  Northern  America.  Cloudless  skies, 
cool,  clear  breezes,  and  bright  sunshine  make  it  bland 
and  luxurious,  without  the  intensity  that  renders  mid- 
summer enfeebling  and  oppressive. 

It  was  a  fine  morning  in  the  middle  of  September ; 
and  the  widow  Butler's  household  were  astir,  as  usual, 
with  the  dawn  of  day.  While  breakfast  was  in  prep- 
aration, James  superintended  the  out-door  duties  of 
the  farm,  and,  this  daily  business  finished,  stood  watch- 
ing the  eastern  horizon,  now  glowing  with  the  tints  of 
sunrise.  The  faint  rose-colored  cloud  of  transparent 
light  that  lay  upon  the  eastern  hills,  deepened  and 
brightened,  till  the  dark  tops  of  the  pines  and  hem- 
locks were  set  in  a  bordering  halo  of  flashing  gold. 


1.50  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  actual  appearance  of  the  sun  at  length  rendered 
the  gorgeous  brilliancy  no  longer  endurable  to  mortal 
eyes ;  and  James  turned  into  the  house,  resolving  to 
improve  the  promise  of  a  delicious  day  in  a  ramble  into 
the  forest  with  his  rifle. 

"  Mother,"  said  he  as  he  rose  from  table,  "  I  think 
I  will  go  and  kill  you  a  deer  to-day.  The  venison  is 
in  prime  order  now*  and  I  fancy  you  have  not  been 
as  well  supplied,  during  my  absence,  as  you  used  to 
be.  For  my  part,  I  should  like  a  juicy  steak  or  a  fat 
haunch  right  well." 

"  You  always  loved  running  about  in  the  woods, 
James  ;  I  don't  see  why,  for  they're  dreadful  dark  and 
gloomy,  and  it's  terrible  hard  walking.  But  you  and 
I  are  different,  and  it's  a  beautiful  day." 

Satisfied  with  these  two  plain  conclusions,  the  old 
lady  sat  down  to  her  knitting-work,  casting,  every  few 
moments,  a  superintending  glance  at  the  rosy  damsel 
who  was  clearing  away  the  breakfast  table.  James 
arrayed  himself  in  a  snug,  stout  frock,  into  the  ample 
pockets  of  which  he  stowed  a  slight  luncheon,  his 
apparatus  for  kindling  fire  and  his  long,  keen  hunting- 
knife.  Then,  taking  his  rifle  from  its  hooks  and  throw- 
ing the  powder-horn  and  bullet-pouch  over  his  shoul- 
ders, he  turned  to  the  door. 

"  Good-by,  mother.  I  may  be  back  to  night,  but 
don't  frizzle  to  death,  if  I  shouldn't  come.  I  have  not 
had  a  hunting  frolic  for  a  long  time,  and  shall  take  it 
fair  and  easy.  You  know  I  don't  mind  a  night  in  the 
woods,  though  you  think  them  so  awful.  Besides,  I 
mean  to  ask  Captain  Dee  to  accompany  me.  I  like 
the  old  gentleman  right  well,  and  I  shall  pass  directly 
by  his  door.  So  to-night  or  to-morrow  will  be  all  the 
same.  But  I'll  bring  you  a  tip-top  deer,  at  any  rate, 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         151 

unless  uncle's  ledgers  have  taken  all  the  wood-craft 
out  of  me,  which  I  don't  think." 

He  examined  carefully,  while  he  spoke,  the  condi- 
tion of  his  valued  old  friend  in  lock,  stock,  and  barrel, 
and  smiled  in  the  confidence  that  all  was  right,  and 
that  he  could  use  it  skillfully  as  it  deserved.  Perhaps, 
also,  part  of  the  smile  might  be  appropriated  to  his 
mother's  simple  horror  of  the  forest  wilderness. 

"  Good-by,  my  son,"  replied  the  dame  ;  "  take  care 
of  yourself,  and,  mind,  don't  take  cold,  if  you  do  sleep 
out." 

James  smiled  again,  as  he  said  to  himself,  "  I  won- 
der what  mother  thinks  I  can  do  in  that  last  matter. 
I  guess  uncle  would  say  'twas  worth  a  guaranty  com- 
mission to  undertake  to  prevent  the  dew's  falling  or 
the  forest's  being  a  trifle  cool  of  an  autumn  night.'' 
Then,  taking  his  way  across  the  rough  bridge  and 
through  the  straggling  street  that  ran  up  the  river- 
side, he  soon  left  the  little  village  behind  him,  and, 
ascending  the  bluff  that  walled  the  northern  end  of  the 
valley,  emerged  upon  a  tract  where  only  an  occasional 
clearing,  here  and  there,  attested  the  approach  of  civ- 
ilization. Upon  one  of  these  outskirting  farms,  lived 
Captain  Dee,  and  Butler's  active  steps  soon  brought 
him  to  his  door. 

The  veteran  was  seated  upon  a  chopping-block  in 
the  yard,  enjoying  his  pipe  and  the  serene  beauty  of 
the  landscape  that  stretched  away  to  the  river  in  front 
of  him,  bathed  in  the  clear  light  of  that  bright  morn- 
ing. He  welcomed  his  visitor,  who  had  always  been 
a  great  favorite  with  him,  with  hearty  cordiality,  and 
readily  assented  to  the  proposed  excursion. 

"  Here,  William  !  "  shouted  he, —  calling  his  son, 
a  lad  of  sixteen,  from  the  neighboring  field,—  "  here's 


152  SAM  SHIRK: 

James  Butler.  Now  you've  shaken  hands,  get  ready 
to  go  with  us,  if  you  choose.  We  can  all  talk  as  we 
go  along." 

While  William  and  his  father  are  making  their  pre- 
parations, we  will  introduce  them  more  formally. 

William  Dee  the  senior  was —  as  his  usual  designa- 
tion of  Captain  intimated  —  a  retired  shipmaster  ;  one 
of  a  class  of  men  who  generally  illustrate  all  the  most 
valuable  traits  of  New  England  character.  He  had 
spent  his  youth  and  mature  manhood  upon  the  ocean, 
and,  in  the  service  of  merchants  of  Boston,  visited  in 
various  capacities  almost  every  country  accessible  to 
mercantile  enterprise.  Energetic,  active,  shrewd,  and 
upright,  he  had  done  full  justice  to  the  interests  com- 
mitted to  his  care ;  and  his  employers  had  amassed 
wealth  from  the  fruit  of  his  labors.  He  might  easily 
have  made  for  himself  an  ample  fortune.  But  he  was 
too  impulsively  liberal  and  open-handed,  too  much  dis- 
posed to  enjoy  the  good  things  of  life  freely,  as  they 
came  along,  to  accumulate  money  for  its  own  sake. 
If  he  had  but  a  single  dollar  in  his  pocket,  he  would 
give  half  of  it  to  the  first  man  that  asked  for  it,  and 
spend  the  other  half  for  a  good  dinner,  if  it  came  in 
his  way, —  without  inquiring  whether  the  object  of  his 
bounty  were  deserving  or  not,  and.  without  a  thought 
where  his  own  supper  was  to  come  from.  He  had, 
therefore,  retired  from  business  with  a  very  moderate 
competence,  not  sufficient  to  meet  the  luxurious  ex- 
penditure of  large  cities.  Desirous  of  passing  his  re- 
maining days  in  ease  and  quiet,  and  being  fond  of  rural 
amusements,  he  had  purchased  a  farm  in  this  retired 
spot.  Here  he  lived  in  simple  and  unostentatious  com- 
fort, making  his  moderate  income  more  than  sufficient 
for  his  wants  by  the  cultivation  of  his  land,  which 


.4    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         153 

supplied  him  and  William  —  the  only  members  of  his 
household  excepting  his  hired  man  and  housekeeper  — 
with  the  great  staples  of  subsistence. 

The  Captain's  personal  appearance  corresponded 
with  his  character.  Rather  short  and  stout,  but  well 
made  and  athletic,  his  open  features,  full  blue  eye,  and 
ruddy  complexion  showed  that  he  appreciated  and  en- 
joyed all  the  comforts  of  life,  without  any  unnecessary 
cares  or  anxieties  being  permitted  to  cloud  the  passing 
day.  He  had  nothing  of  the  thoughtful,  hard-worked 
air  so  common  with  his  countrymen ;  but  wore  habit- 
ually the  bluff,  frank,  and  hearty  demeanor  of  the  well- 
fed  Englishman.  The  kindliness  and  generosity  of  his 
character  beamed  from  his  countenance,  and  shed  a 
general  serenity  upon  his  temper.  He  could  easily  be 
roused  by  manifest  wrong-doing  to  a  warm  and  bois- 
terous indignation  ;  but  malice  or  abiding  ill-humor 
were  not  among  the  possibilities  of  his  nature.  One 
habit  he  had, —  contracted  from  his  long  experience  of 
the  rough  chances  and  rude  companionship  of  a  sea- 
faring life, —  an  inveterate  trick  of  ornamenting  his 
discourse  with  a  superfluity  of  expletives,  especially  in 
moments  of  excitement.  To  tell  the  plain  truth,  the 
good  Captain  swore  rather  severely.  Yet,  though  of- 
fensive to  taste  and  sometimes  to  more  serious  consid- 
erations, it  could  not  impress  any  one  who  knew  him 
with  the  idea  of  intentional  irreverence  or  bad  temper. 
It  was  the  unregulated  ebullition  of  impulsive  and  care- 
less boisterousness, —  a  sort  of  safety-valve  to  the  over- 
flowing animal  spirits  and  the  quick,  warm  rush  of  his 
ideas,  unchecked  by  prudence  or  calculation,  .a  reck- 
lessness of  manner  much  more  than  a  sin. 

We  shall  have  more  regard  to  the  Captain's  dignity 
and  genuine  worth  than  he  had  himself,  and  purpose  to 


154  SAM   SHIRK: 

soften  down  and  extenuate,  as  we  proceed,  the 
graphic  and  racy,  but  scarcely  decorous  garniture  of 
his  speech. 

William,  his  intelligent  face  beaming  with  antici- 
pated pleasure,  brought  his  father's  rifle  with  its  proper 
accompaniments,  together  with  a  lighter  double-bar- 
reled gun  for  his  own  use. 

"  Well,  James,  my  lad,  how  long  a  trip  do  you  pro- 
pose to  make  of  it  ?" 

"  Very  much  as  you  please,  Captain.  We  will  get 
back  to-night  if  you  prefer ;  for  perhaps  you  don't 
feel  like  such  long  routes  as  we  used  to  make  together, 
five  or  six  years  ago.  If  you  like  to  camp  out,  I  told 
mother  not  to  worry  about  me  if  she  did  not  see  me 
to-night." 

"  You  are  grown  so  stout  and  tall,  my  boy,  that  I 
suppose  you  can  outwork  me  now,  but  I  don't  grow 
old  very  fast.  I  never  abused  the  body  that  God  gave 
me,  and  am  now  reaping  the  reward  of  my  wisdom 
in  a  green  and  active  old  age.  I'm  good  for  a  tough 
job  yet, —  thank  Heaven  !  And  old  Polly  is  the  only 
one  to  worry  after  Bill  and  me  ;  and  it's  little  she 
troubles  herself  out  of  her  kitchen  affairs, —  for  which 
Heaven  be  thanked  again  !  One  of  your  coddling  old 
crones  would  fidget  me  to  death.  If  the  wolves  were 
to  eat  us  up,  I  do  believe  the  old  devil  would  only  won- 
der how  they  could  devour  such  a  tough  old  fellow 
as  I,  without  boiling  or  roasting.  So  let's  go,  and  get 
back  when  we  are  ready.  But  you  had  better  put 
some  bread  and  cheese  into  your  pockets,  Bill.  Hunt- 
ers ought  to  kill  their  own  grub  ;  but  I've  no  idea  of 
going  without  dinner,  if  the  deer  prove  shy.  By  the 
way,  too  "  — 

The    old   gentleman   here    interrupted    himself  to 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS    OF  MAINE.       155 

open  a  closet,  where  stood  a  portly  demijohn,  from 
which  he  filled  a  pocket  flask  with  some  genuine 
old  brandy.  The  temperance  doctrines  were  not 
taught  in  those  days  ;  and  if  they  had  been,  we  do  not 
think  the  Captain  would  have  gone  for  total  absti- 
nence. 

"  This  confounded  brook- water  is  all  the  better  for 
a  dash  of  good  Cognac.  But  such  things  are  like 
powder,  boys, —  to  be  handled  carefully.  Too  heavy 
a  charge  spoils  the  aim,  and  kicks  you  over." 


156  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  party  now  left  the  house  and  struck  into  the 
winding  path,  hardly  deserving  the  name  of  a  road, 
which  led  up  the  stream.  As  they  ascended  a  gentle 
slope,  the  Captain  stopped  to  look  back  upon  the  pros- 
pect below. 

"  By  Jove,  James,  this  is  a  glorious  day,  and  I  think 
this  landscape  pleasanter  than  the  view  down  Cornhill. 
What  do  you  say  ?  " 

"  It  certainly  is  so  to  me,  for  it  is  my  home  ;  and  I 
confess  I  do  not  like  city  life.  There  is  too  much  re- 
straint and  ceremony,  too  much  sameness  and  confine- 
ment, for  my  taste.  I  love  this  free  air  and  wide  range. 
I  can  do  what  I  please,  and  nobody  minds  me ;  go 
where  I  please,  and  nobody  finds  fault.  A  man  is 
more  a  man  here,  if  he  is  less  a  gentleman, —  and  that 
he  needn't  be." 

"No, —  no.  A  man  may  be  a  gentleman  every- 
where ;  whether  his  boots  are  blacked  with  Day  & 
Martin,  or  daubed  with  'Guagus  clay.  There  is,  as 
you  say,  a  pleasant  freedom  about  our  simple  life  here. 
A  scene  like  this  has  more  of  the  grand  and  pictur- 
esque, too,  than  a  country  that  has  been  smoothed  off 
and  tamed  down  by  man's  labor." 

The  scene  upon  which  they  were  looking,  was  in- 
deed striking.  At  their  feet  lay  the  little  straggling 
village  of  comfortable  but  unpretending  cottages,  sur- 
rounded by  fields  of  grass  or  other  crops,  among  which 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        157 

rose,  at  intervals,  the  blackened  stumps  of  the  former 
occupants  of  the  soil.  Irregular  fences,  of  such  mate- 
rials as  were  at  hand,  protected  them  from  the  cattle. 
Here  a  row  of  bristling  roots,  set  with  their  prongs  in 
the  air, —  there  a  hedge  of  brush,  topped  with  riders 
of  spruce  poles, —  in  another  place  a  barricade  of  slabs 
from  the  saw-mill, —  and  now  and  then  a  regular  con- 
struction of  cedar  rails  and  posts,  or  of  small  trees  laid 
in  zigzag,  marked  the  boundaries  of  the  inclosures. 
Little  clumps  of  silver  firs  or  young  birches  were 
sprinkled  about  the  cleared  lands,  as  if  the  native  for- 
est, loath  to  leave  its  ancient  seat,  was  struggling  des- 
perately with  the  innovations  of  the  farmer.  Below 
soft,  sloping  banks,  or  between  abrupt  bluffs  of  clay, 
the  little  river  glided  murmuring  on,  widening  out 
gradually  as  it  neared  the  sea.  Its  embouchure  was 
glittering  in  the  morning  sun  at  a  distance  of  about 
five  miles.  In  several  of  the  bends  within  sight,  the 
stream  fell  in  cascades  over  the  ledges,  across  which 
log-dams  had  been  constructed ;  and  where  the  wheels 
of  the  saw-mills  were  seen  flashing  through  the  tum- 
bling spray,  and  the  sharp  crash  of  the  saws  in  the 
pine  logs  came,  softened  by  distance,  on  the  breeze,  like 
a  giant's  whisper.  The  picture  was  bordered  every- 
where by  the  forest,  principally  of  dark  evergreens, 
variegated  here  and  there  with  birch,  maples,  and 
beeches,  that  were  now  beginning  to  assume  their  gor- 
geous autumnal  livery  of  brown,  scarlet,  and  gold. 
Away  up  the  rising  slopes  swelled  the  boundless 
woods.  The  summits  of  the  hills  were  mantled  en- 
tirely with  the  foliage  of  the  hard-wood  trees,  now 
displaying  every  tint  of  the  rainbow.  Far  off  above 
the  hill-tops,  beyond  the  wide  expanse  of  leaves, 
Humpback  Mountain  lifted  his  forehead  into  the  clear 


158  SAM  SHIRK: 

air,  like  a  distant  island  from  an  ocean  rolling  in  long, 
sweeping  waves.  An  atmosphere  of  perfect  purity 
shed  over  all  a  coloring  of  the  highest  brilliancy,  in 
the  open  grounds  and  sky ;  while  the  heavy  masses  and 
impenetrable  shadows  of  the  forest  deepened  the  tone 
of  the  whole  with  contrasted  shades  of  imposing  grand- 
eur and  effect.  There  was  enough  of  civilization  to 
give  animation  and  human  sympathy  to  the  scene,  as 
the  eye  dwelt  upon  the  easy  sweep  of  the  fields  and 
their  simple  homesteads  ;  enough  of  rough  and  uneven 
transitionary  character  to  impart  the  highest  degree  of 
picturesque  beauty,  which  was  reflected  back  again 
from  the  sparkling  river,  with  its  graceful  bends,  its 
deep,  still  pools,  its  rippling  eddies,  and  its  tumbling 
falls.  At  either  verge,  Nature  displayed  her  noblest 
elements  of  sublimity  in  the  broad  expanse  of  the  At- 
lantic, shining  under  the  morning  sun,  and  the  deep- 
bosomed  and  limitless  woods,  with  their  mountain 
crown,  extending  inland  far  beyond  the  power  of 
vision. 

The  river,  as  it  stole  from  the  dark  border  of  the 
trees,  seemed  to  emerge  into  a  new  life,  and  to  be  a 
link  between  two  worlds.  And  so  in  truth  it  was. 
On  the  one  hand,  lay  mute  and  solitary  and  wildly 
majestic,  unprogressive  Nature,  as  in  the  day  of  her 
creation.  On  the  other,  stripped  of  the  veil  of 
uncounted  centuries,  she  was  yielding  to  the  warm 
impulses  of  intellect  a  new  existence ;  she,  the 
unchangeable,  becoming  the  theatre  and  beautiful 
medium  of  incessant  change,  and  giving  forth,  to  the 
earnest  demand  of  her  master-spirit,  the  rich  treasures 
of  her  secret  bosom. 

After  a  few  moments'  contemplation,  the  party 
turned  again  to  the  northward  and  pursued  their  jour- 


A    TALE   OF    THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        159 

ney.  Young  William  was  soon  in  advance  with  his 
dog,  scrutinizing  the  thickets  and  wood-paths  for  par- 
tridges on  which  to  try  his  marksmanship.  The  other 
two  proceeded  more  deliberately,  chatting  as  they 
walked  along;. 

O 

"  Don't  you  mean  to  return  to  the  counting-room, 
then,  James  ?  "  said  Dee. 

"  No,  not  I.  I  prefer  to  live  here  with  my  mother. 
I  suppose  most  people  will  think  me  a  great  fool;  for 
my  uncle  makes  me  very  kind  and  liberal  offers." 

"  Well,  my  boy,  I  shall  be  right  glad  to  have  your 
society  here  ;  but  I  am  not  sure  that  I  don't  think  you 
a  fool  myself,  to  give  up  such  a  chance  for  this  wilder- 
ness. You  might  make  a  handsome  fortune  in  ten  or 
fifteen  years,  and  then  do  just  as  you  pleased." 

"  I  can  do  what  I  please  now,"  replied  the  youth, 
laughing,  "  without  any  trouble  at  all ;  for  I  am  wise 
enough  to  please  to  do  what  I  can  easily.  What  good, 
then,  to  spend  the  flower  of  my  life,  at  the  sacrifice  of 
all  my  favorite  pursuits  and  pleasures,  to  earn  what  I 
do  not  want,  and  shall  have  lost  all  capacity  and  incli- 
nation to  enjoy  when  I  have  earned  it  ?  " 

"  Well,  well,  that  isn't  a  thousand  miles  from  the 
truth,  either.  If  we  are  contented,  happy,  and  use- 
ful, by  Jupiter,  I  don't  know  what  more  we  can  do. 
And  it  is  more,  a  good  deal,  than  most  people  contrive 
to  do  in  this  world." 

"  I  sha'n't  forfeit  your  good  opinion,  then,  if  I  neg- 
lect the  chance  of  becoming  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Butler  &  Co.  and  coming  out,  twenty  years  hence, 
too  rich  to  work,  and  too  industrious  by  habit  to  be 
happy  without  it ;  too  fat  and  lazy  to  shoot  or  fish,  and 
too  restless  to  do  nothing  ;  too  active  in  mind  to  be 
unemployed,  and  yet  respecting  no  books  but  a  jour- 
nal and  ledger. — What  do  you  say  about  it  ?  " 


160  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  I  say  that  I  like  you  very  well  as  you  are,  and  as 
you  are  likely  to  be  here.  If  you  are  suited  with 
such  a  position,  there  is  no  wisdom  in  seeking  another, 
that  may  not,  take  it  all  in  all,  be  a  better  or  a  happier 
one.  But  it  is  a  question  for  you  to  decide  for  your- 
self. I  will  only  advise  you  to  consider  it  well  before 
you  do  decide ;  and  God  bless  you,  my  boy,  do  what 
you  may." 

A  hearty  shake  of  the  hand  was  interchanged 
between  the  friends ;  and  the  conversation  turned 
upon  the  objects  of  their  excursion.  They  were  now 
travelling  over  the  barren  plains,  mostly  covered  with 
low  copses  of  birch  bushes,  or  the  still  humbler  growth 
of  whortleberry,  sweet-fern,  and  brakes.  A  brisk 
walk  of  something  more  than  two  hours  brought  them 
to  the  farther  edge  of  the  barrens,  where  the  charac- 
ter of  the  vegetation  indicated  the  change  of  soil.  The 
tall  trunks  of  the  red  pine  began  to  rear  their  pur- 
plish brown  columns  into  the  air  about  them,  now 
singly,  now  in  groups,  and  at  length  in  heavy  and 
extensive  glades.  The  short,  snappish  rustle  of  the 
wind,  in  bush  and  brake,  was  superseded  by  the 
heavy,  surging  murmur  of  the  tree-tops,  where,  more 
than  a  hundred  feet  above  their  heads,  the  stiff  tassels 
tossed  in  the  autumn  breeze.  A  kindred  and  very 
similar  reverberation  now  began  to  break  upon  their 
ears,  distinguishable  from  the  wind  chiefly  by  its 
unbroken  and  continuous  rush  of  sound.  It  was  the 
roar  of  the  distant  river,  which  here  crossed  their 
track.  The  noise  of  its  waters  chafing  over  long  rap- 
ids, pervaded  the  atmosphere,  like  the  full,  energetic 
tramp  of  an  impetuous  march,  to  which  the  deep  roll- 
ing bursts  from  the  waving  foliage  overhead  formed  a 
fitful  and  harmonizing  accompaniment ;  till  the  tremu- 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        161 

lous  air  was  transformed  into  one  concert  of  majestic 
music.  A  short  space  brought  them  to  the  banks  of 
the  stream,  at  the  head  of  the  great  falls.  The  river, 
here  about  two  hundred  feet  wide,  was  fordable  almost 
anywhere,  in  ordinary  stages  of  the  water.  But  the 
masses  of  rock  projecting  above  the  surface  at  this 
spot,  arresting  the  logs  in  tangled  rafts  as  they  floated 
down  the  stream,  commonly  afforded  a  rough  but  safe 
bridge  for  the  passage  of  pedestrians.  Such  was  the 
case  now ;  and  James  and  the  Captain  made  their  way, 
over  irregular  piles  of  timber,  to  a  broad  platform  clus- 
tered around  a  huge  boulder  near  the  centre  of  the 
water-course.  Here  they  seated  themselves  with  a 
common  impulse,  and  gazed  for  some  moments  in 
silence  at  the  scene  below  them. 

The  current  forced  its  broken  way  over  and  through 
continuous  ledges,  crowned  here  and  there  with  masses 
of  scattered  rocks,  that  rose  like  the  disjointed  ruins  of 
a  gigantic  wall  from  the  foaming  waters.  Now  the 
concentrated  stream  poured,  in  a  black  and  glassy 
rush,  through  deep  channels  overhung  by  frowning 
battlements  ;  now  it  trickled  in  broken  and  frittered 
threads  over  flat  and  jagged  surfaces,  to  plunge  again 
into  cavernous  depths.  Here  it  wheeled  in  circling 
sweeps  around  obstructing  masses ;  there  it  poured  in 
frothing  confusion  among  less  elevated  and  sparser 
impediments.  Deep  eddies,  where  the  troubled  waters 
seemed  to  retire  for,  a  time  to  regain  strength  for  the 
fierce  struggle,  reflected  the  peaceful  image  of  the  Sep- 
tember sky,  whence  the  restless  current  again  shot  out 
to  dash  itself  in  renewed  fury  over  the  rough  and  tan- 
gled path  below.  Sometimes  the  smooth  and  placid 
surface  betrayed,  only  by  the  rapid  passage  of  a  fallen 

leaf  or  broken  branch,  the  impetuous  momentum  that 
11 


162  SAM   SHIRK: 

bore  along  its  apparently  slumbering  tide ;  sometimes 
every  foot  of  its  course  bore  testimony  of  its  fierce  and 
struggling  progress,  in  boiling  circles  and  furious  leaps, 
that  recoiled  in  gurgling  spray  to  their  starting-point. 
As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  the  river's  bed  was  full 
of  precipices,  rugged  rocks,  and  raging  waters. 

The  banks  of  the  stream  were  lined  with  trees  of 
various  species,  but  chiefly  of  the  resinous  kinds. 
Dark  hemlocks,  with  their  fan-like  masses  of  foliage, 
pyramidal  spruces  and  firs,  tall  and  stately  pines,  with 
here  and  there  a  birch,  maple,  or  beech,  rose  in  thick 
ranks  upon  the  slopes  and  top  of  the  banks.  At  the 
level  of  the  water,  cedars  shot  up  wherever  a  little 
nook  afforded  them  chance  to  root.  Frequently,  insin- 
uating themselves  into  crannies  of  the  ledges  and 
driven  from  the  perpendicular  by  beetling  rocks  and 
overhanging  shelves,  they  bent  in  graceful  curves  over 
the  water,  connected  with  the  shore  only  at  the 
extreme  trunk  and  dipping  their  drooping  branches 
in  the  stream. 

A  kingfisher  was  employed  in  looking  after  his  din- 
ner among  the  pools  and  eddies  ;  and  a  hawk  was  cir- 
cling high  up  in  the  air,  screaming  at  every  revolution 
of  his  sweeping  flight.  Otherwise,  all  was  still  and 
motionless,  except  the  roar  of  the  water  and  the  rus- 
tling of  the  trees  in  the  occasional  swells  of  the  wind. 

Captain  Dee  laid  down  his  gun,  and,  producing  his 
tinder-box  and  pipe,  prepared  to  indulge  himself  in 
smoking  during  their  rest. 

"  We  have  had  a  smart  walk,  James  ;  and  I  think, 
by  Jove,  we  can't  do  better  than  sit  here  awhile  and 
enjoy  this  glorious  scene.  Meanwhile,  I'll  have  a 
smoke.  William,  boy-like,  is  ranging  ahead  of  us  still. 
But  he'll  take  care  of  himself.  How  strange  it  is  that 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       163 

all  men,  both  civilized  and  savage,  that  can  muster  a 
pipe  and  any  sort  of  weed  which  will  serve  the  pur- 
pose, have  universally  adopted  smoking  as  a  luxury 
and  refreshment !  It  is  the  emblem  of  peace  and 
friendship,  of  repose  and  enjoyment,  everywhere, 
King  James  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  There's 
no  prospect  to  be  seen  in  Cornhill  like  this,  —  hey, 
my  boy  ?  " 

"  No,  indeed,  Captain,  man  can  do  nothing  towards 
creating  such  an  one,  and  nothing  to  add  to  its  beauty. 
In  fact,  the  great  charm  of  it,  to  my  mind,  is  its  thor- 
ough isolation  from  man  and  his  works.  It  is  pure, 
original  nature.  No  human  being  has  ever  traced  or 
rubbed  out  a  line  of  the  picture  ;  but  the  first  man 
that  ever  saw  it,  saw  it  as  we  do  now.  I  don't  won- 
der that  the  old  poets  fancied  they  could  see  Naiads, 
Hamadryads,  and  other  fanciful  beings  in  such  spots  as 
this.  They  have  a  character  entirely  peculiar ;  and 
we  might  expect  their  inhabitants  to  be  so  too." 

"  Yes,  and  so  they  are,  and  be  d d  to  'em  !  " 

responded  Dee.  "  Here's  a  black  fly  been  dancing 
round  my  nose  ever  since  we've  been  here.  If  it 
weren't  for  the  frosty  nights  we  have  had,  we  couldn't 
live  an  hour  on  this  rock ;  they'd  devour  us.  But  as 
for  your  wood  and  water  nymphs,  I  don't  know  where 
you  will  look  for  them,  unless  a  copper-colored  one 
will  serve  your  turn  ;  and  even  they  are  getting  to  be 
rare." 

"  I  suppose  I  have  a  little  the  advantage  of  you  in 
romance,  Captain.  I  have  not  weathered  so  many 
storms  as  you.  But  does  not  a  perfectly  wild  land- 
scape, like  this,  make  a  stronger  impression  upon  you 
than  any  other  ?  " 

"  Yes,  it  does,  my  boy ;  and  the  flies  are  not  a  bit 


164  SAM  SHIRK: 

behind  the  scenery  in  that  respect."  The  Captain 
here  made  a  fierce  plunge  at  his  puny  tormentor. 
"  But  you  are  right.  It's  like  looking  back  to  the  cre- 
ation, and  behind  the  first  beginnings  of  human  soci- 
ety. Besides,  this  primitive  nature  is  both  beautiful 
and  grand." 

"  It  produces  upon  my  mind,  Captain,  a  feeling 
both  of  awe  and  admiration.  It  is  the  incarnation  of 
power  and  infinity,  for  we  can  see  no  end  or  limit.  It 
is  the  same  to  us,  as  if  this  forest  covered  the  uni- 
verse. Then  this  awful  quiet,  not  a  sound,  but  very 
rarely,  of  living  tiling.  It  is  strange  to  us  busy  mor- 
tals, and  as  impressive  as  strange  ;  as  if  it  hid  some 
dread  mystery.  It  is  like  standing,  as  Adam  did 
before  other  men  existed,  alone  with  Providence  and 
God.  It  carries  us  back  to  the  first  principles  of  our 
being,  and  abrogates  all  our  artificial  ideas.  I  always 
wish  I  was  a  poet  or  a  painter,  or  both,  when  I  get 
among  these  wild  places.  But  your  pipe  is  smoked 
out;  and  we  have  our  dinner  to  earn  yet.  I  sha'n't 
fancy  crackers  and  cheese,  if  a  deer  is  to  be  had." 

"  Let's  be  going,  then.  But  when  I  get  with  you,  I 
am  full  of  gossip.  Our  neighbors  generally  don't  trou- 
ble their  heads  much  with  speculation  ;  and  as  for  old 
Poll, —  hang  her,  she's  worse  than  an  Indian  squaw.  I 
saw  William  pop  over  several  partridges  as  we  came 
along ;  so  you  need  not  come  down  to  bread  and  cheese. 
I  heard  him  fire  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  just 
now,  and  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  has  killed  a  deer. 
He's  a  keen  shot  for  a  youngster." 

They  now  picked  their  way  across  the  stranded  logs 
to  the  farther  shore.  Butler's  whistle  soon  brought 
to  them  Marquis,  a  beautiful  white  and  liver-colored 
spaniel,  —  William's  pet  and  inseparable  companion. 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        165 

Following  the  dog,  as  he  bounded  on  before  them,  they 
entered  the  forest,  and  soon  found  the  lad  employed  in 
dressing  a  fine  buck  that  had  fallen  a  victim  to  his 
aim. 

"  William  has  the  first  deer,  sure  enough,  Captain. 
I  am  not  often  behind  in  this  matter  ;  but  I  must  be 
content  with  second  best  now." 

"A  nice  fat  fellow,  —  two  years  and  in  prime  or- 
der," said  the  Captain,  glancing  at  his  antlers.  "  He 
will  give  us  as  much  as  we  shall  want  to  carry  home, 
and  a  good  dinner  to  boot." 

"  So  he  will ;  but  I  must  try  my  hand  too,  if  we 
chance  upon  more.  We  could  put  them  up  in  a  tree 
and  come  out  with  a  horse  to-morrow.  The  next  thing 
now  is  to  choose  a  place  to  dine." 

"  There  is  a  monstrous  boulder  over  the  ridge,  and 
a  brook  hard  by ;  —  couldn't  be  a  nicer  spot." 

"  Yes,  I  remember  it,  William.  Let  us  go  there, 
Captain.  Bill,  take  this  fellow's  fore-legs,  and  I  will 
carry  the  hinder  ones  ;  he  will  be  light  now  that  you 
have  dressed  him." 

Just  in  advance  of  where  they  stood,  the  ground 
rose  in  a  long  and  moderate  slope,  covered  with  hard 
wood,  spruce,  and  hemlock.  On  the  further  side,  it 
descended  more  steeply  to  a  narrow  valley,  through 
which  ran  a  small  brook  on  its  way  to  the  river.  An- 
other narrow  and  rounded  rid^e, —  or  horseback,  as  it 

O     '  ' 

would  be  there  styled,  from  the  resemblance  of  its  con- 
formation,—  ran  at  right  angles  a  short  distance  out  into 
the  valley,  like  a  causeway,  and  terminated  in  a  grav- 
elly mound  or  knoll.  Nearly  upon  the  highest  point 
of  the  little  hill  rested  a  huge  mass  of  granite,  in  size 
and  general  outline  resembling  a  small  house  without 
the  roof.  Its  sides  were  nearly  perpendicular  and 


166  SAM  SHIRK: 

smooth,  except  on  one  end,  where  some,  slight  projec- 
tions, caused  by  the  disintegration  of  a  seam  in  its 
structure,  afforded  footing  sufficient  to  enable  an  active 
man, —  with  the  help  of  the  contiguous  branches  of  a 
cluster  of  birches, —  to  scale  its  top,  elsewhere  inacces- 
sible to  man  or  beast.  Covered  with  gray  mosses  and 
lichens,  the  vast  rock  lay,  like  the  ark  on  Ararat, 
where  the  waters  of  the  primeval  flood,  or  some  trav- 
elling glacier  of  olden  days,  had  left  it  stranded.  Upon 
the  dry  surface  of  the  knoll  beneath  it  was  a  small, 
clear  spot,  well  fitted  for  the  purpose  for  which  Wil- 
liam Dee  had  suggested  it. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        167 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  young  men  soon  kindled  a  fire  under  the  side 
of  the  rock,  and  broiled  upon  the  coals  a  fat  venison 
steak,  which,  with  the  accompaniments  supplied  by 
coat-pockets,  furnished  a  dinner  that  might  satisfy  the 
most  fastidious  appetite.  Marquis,—  who  had  lain,  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  meal,  with  his  head  quietly 
resting  upon  his  paws,  like  a  well-bred  dog  patiently 
biding  his  time, —  had  retired  round  a  corner  with  a 
superabundant  supply  of  bones  and  scraps  dealt  out  to 
him  by  his  biped  friends.  The  Captain  was  enjoying 
his  pipe  ;  and  a  desultory  conversation,  such  as  suits 
the  inert  mood  that  follows  a  hearty  repast,  was  kept 
up  for  some  time.  The  sun  was  bright,  and  light 
fleecy  clouds  floated  along  on  the  fresh  breeze,  which 
was  only  recognized,  however,  in  the  shelter  of  the 
woods,  by  an  occasional  rustling  whirl  of  the  leaves 
that  began  already  to  fall  from  the  trees,  and  the  con- 
tinuous moaning  of  the  tall  tops  of  the  pines  far  over- 
head. A  merry  little  squirrel  now  and  then  trilled 
out  his  frolicsome  chirrup,  as  he  basked  or  scampered 
about  in  enjoyment  of  the  lingering  atmosphere  of 
summer;  for  Marquis  was  both  too  well  trained  to 
higher  game,  and  too  agreeably  occupied,  to  interrupt 
him. 

All  at  once  the  quiet  scene  was  disturbed  by  a  loud, 
sharp  challenge  from  the  dog, —  who  sprang  round 


168  SAM  SHIRK: 

from  the  corner,  where  he  had  been  maundering  over 
the  more  refractory  portions  of  his  dinner,  and  stood 
with  erect  tail  and  ears,  snuffing  the  air  and  growling 
furiously.  The  little  squirrel  rushed  in  consternation 
up  a  neighboring  tree  ;  while  William  and  Butler, 
springing  to  their  feet,  seized  their  guns,  and  the  Cap- 
tain took  his  pipe  from  his  rnouth. 
•  "  What  is  it,  boy  ?  "  said  William,  as  all  three 
looked  and!  listened  earnestly  towards  the  quarter  to 
which  the  dog  directed  their  attention ;  "  what  do 
you  hear,  boy?  " 

A  moment  more  made  audible,  to  their  less  acute 
senses,  a  pattering  tramp  as  of  many  animals  in  rapid 
motion.  Directly  in  front  of  them,  the  sound  suddenly 
ceased,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  chorus  of  yelps  and 
snarling. 

"  The  wolves  have  smelt  out  the  entrails  of  your 
deer,  William,  and  are  quarreling  over  them.  We 
can  get  a  good  shot  while  they  are  in  the  muss.  Your 
father  and  Marquis  will  do  better  to  stay  here." 

With  quick  but  careful  steps,  the  young  men  ran 
towards  the  top  of  the  ridge  ;  thence  proceeding  in 
perfect  stillness,  they  gained  the  covert  of  a  thicket 
of  young  firs,  which  protected  them  from  discovery, 
while,  by  circumspect  improvement  of  casual  openings, 
they  could  see  most  that  was  going  on  in  their  front. 

In  the  open  glade  beyond,  where  the  refuse  portions 
of  the  deer  had  been  left,  were  from  forty  to  fifty 
wolves.  Some  were  sitting  upon  their  haunches  ; 
some  wandered  about  snuffing  for  a  stray  mouthful ; 
and  a  dozen  or  more  were  still  clustered  where  the 
heap  of  garbage  had  been,  snapping  and  growling  at 
each  other,  under  the  influence  of  the  feelings  excited,- 
by  their  tantalized  and  wholly  unsated  appetite.  After 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        169 

peeping  through  his  loop-hole  at  this  wild  scene,  Wil- 
liam leveled  his  gun  ;  but  Butler  laid  his  hand  upon 
the  lock,  saying  in  a  whisper,  — 

"No,  no,  Bill, —  it  won't  do.  There  are  too  many 
of  'em  ;  we  must  beat  a  retreat  as  quick  as  possible." 

The  two  then  stole  carefully  back  over  the  summit 
of  the  ridge  ;  and,  after  placing  a  safe  distance  be- 
tween them  and  the  ravenous  animals,  returned  as 
quickly  as  possible  to  the  rock. 

"Well,  Captain,"  said  Butler,  "it  is  lucky  we  have 
this  castle  at  hand.  There  are  not  much  less  than 
fifty  wolves  out  yonder.  I  should  think  nothing  of 
half  a  dozen  ;  but  the  pack  is  strong  and  half-starved. 
I  believe  they  will  dog  us.  The  wind  blows  between 
us  and  them,  or  they  would  have  scented  us  before 
now.  We  must  take  to  the  top  of  the  rock  for  a  while, 
and  see  how  matters  turn  out." 

"  Right,  James.  They  are  cowards  alone,  but  devils 
in  such  gangs  as  this.  You  and  Bill  get  the  venison 
up  ;  the  d — — d  rascals  sha'n't  have  that  to  dine  upon. 
The  dog  too,  take  him  up  with  you.  Leave  your  guns 
by  me.  I  will  keep  guard  till  all  is  ready." 

The  youths  then  scrambled  up  the  steep  rock,  some- 
times stepping  from  one  knob  of  its  worn  surface  to  an- 
other, sometimes  swinging  themselves  up  by  a  friendly 
bough,  and  passing  from  hand  to  hand  the  carcass  of  the 
deer,  and  assisting  Marquis  over  the  points  impractica- 
ble to  quadruped  locomotion. 

As  Butler  had  anticipated,  the  wolves  soon  caught 
indications  of  their  neighborhood  ;  and  scarcely  had 
they  reached  the  elevated  terrace  with  their  load,  when 
the  foremost  animals  began  to  show  themselves  over 
the  ridge,  snuffing  the  wind  and  yelping  eagerly. 

"  James,"   said   the    Captain,   "  come   down  to   the 


170  SAM  SHIRK: 

crotch  in  the  birch  just  over  my  head,  to  take  the  guns 
from  me.  I  will  give  them  a  salute,  as  they  come 
along  the  horseback." 

"  Let  me  come  down,  Captain  ;  and  you  climb  up 
while  you  have  time.  I  can  scramble  back  quicker 
than  you." 

"  No,  no, —  do  as  I  say,  boy.  I  am  not  too  stiff  for 
that  yet.  My  shots  will  make  them  a  little  cautious 
about  making  a  rush,  I'll  warrant  it." 

Dee  then,  placing  the  two  spare  guns  behind  him, 
stepped  under  the  cover  of  the  birch  bushes,  the  tops 
of  which  also  screened  Butler's  post  upon  the  rock. 
Some  of  the  beasts  had  now  found  the  trail,  and  were 
nosing  along  the  descent  towards  the  party,  when  a 
rifle  flashed  through  the  boughs,  and  one  of  them  was 
sent,  whining  and  yelping,  to  the  rear  with  a  broken 
leg.  Another  ball  hissed  sharply  along  the  ridge,  and 
stretched  a  second  wolf  dead  upon  the  ground.  But 
just  as  the  third  gun  was  raised,  Butler  exclaimed,  — 
"  Up  with  you,  Captain.  I  see  the  heads  of  a  host  of 
'em  over  the  hill  now.  Give  me  the  guns,  and  jump  up." 

All  three  presently  stood  safe  upon  the  platform, 
where  poor  Marquis,  half  belligerent  and  half  terrified, 
lay  crouching  at  his  master's  feet,  shivering  and  growl- 
ing at  the  crowd  of  advancing  foes.  As  they  came 
up  with  their  lame  comrade,  a  number  began  to  worry 
him,  with  the  well-known  ferocity  of  their  nature. 
He  still  retained,  however,  vigor  enough  to  requite 
bite  with  bite,  and  snarl  by  snarl.  So  he  was  per- 
mitted to  withdraw  into  a  thicket  to  lie  down  and  lick 
his  wounds  at  his  leisure.  The  gaunt  beasts  then 
turned  pell-mell  upon  the  body  of  their  dead  comrade, 
tearing  it  in  pieces  and  maintaining  a  running  fight 
over  its  mangled  remnants,  till  not  a  morsel  but  the 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        171 

skull  was  left  upon  the  ground.  A  stout  battle  was 
held  over  this  last  by  a  dozen  of  the  most  powerful ; 
which  terminated  in  its  seizure  by  an  enormous  gray 
old  patriarch,  who  bore  it  off  in  triumph,  followed  at  a 
timid  distance  by  two  or  three,  not  less  hungry,  though 
less  strong.  These  little  matters  disposed  of,  one  of 
the  leaders  of  the  pack,  whose  eyes  had  hitherto  been 
attracted  to  the  surface  of  the  ground  by  the  quest  of 
something  to  allay  his  voracious  appetite,  perceived 
the  little  garrison  upon  the  top  of  the  boulder,  and  an- 
nounced his  discovery  by  a  loud  yelp.  The  scattered 
prowlers  gathered  directly  from  all  quarters  and  formed 
an  irregular  semicircle,  at  a  small  distance,  around  its 
base  ;  expressing  their  ferocious  interest  in  their  coveted 
prey  by  a  combination  of  unearthly  howlings,  that 
filled  the  air  with  its  sanguinary  discord.  That  wild, 
boding,  infernal  cry,  —  half  moan,  half  savage  fury, 
like  the  shriek  of  an  angry  ghost,  —  repeated  from 
throat  to  throat  and  prolonged  in  long-drawn  yells, 
might  have  struck  terror  into  the  stoutest  heart.  But 

C5 

the  hunters  felt  a  confidence  in  their  granite  strong- 
hold, that  converted  the  appalling  sounds  into  an  occa- 
sion of  indignant  contempt  rather  than  of  fear. 

They  eyed  for  a  few  moments  in  silence  the  diaboli- 
cal exhibition  of  sanguinary  rage,  till  the  stout-hearted 
and  jolly  old  Captain,  seating  himself  quietly  down, 
said  to  his  companions,  — 

"  Here  we  are,  —  safe  enough,  and  regularly  block- 
aded by  these  infernal  scamps.  What's  to  be  done 
now,  James  ?  I  don't  care  to  spend  the  night  on  this 
rock." 

"  O,  I  think  we'll  raise  the  siege  shortly,"  replied 
Butler,  laughing,  "  provided  our  ammunition  holds 
out.  We  can  kill  or  hurt  half  of  them  ;  and  the  rest 


172  SAM  SHIRK: 

will  eat  them  up.  When  their  bellies  are  filled,  they 
won't  concern  themselves  about  us  any  farther." 

"  Very  likely,  —  that's  their  way.  Meanwhile  I  go 
for  killing  as  many  of  the  rascals  as  we  can.  How 
many  balls  have  you,  Bill  ?  " 

"  About  twenty,  father." 

"  And  you,  James  ?  " 

"  Nearly  as  many,  besides  some  slugs." 

"  That's  well.  Let  me  count, —  one  —  two  —  three 
—  twelve.  I've  a  baker's  dozen  in  my  pocket.  We'll 
do  famously.  Now,  then,  load  and  fire,  as  fast  as  you 
can,  but  make  every  shot  tell." 

The  Captain's  advice  was  skillfully  and  energetic- 
ally followed  out.  A  rapid  and  sustained  fire  was 
poured  forth  on  the  devoted  animals.  The  sharp 
crack  of  the  rifles  and  the  rounder  and  duller  report 
of  William's  double-barrel,  in  rapid  succession,  carried 
death  or  dreadful  wounds  among  them.  The  close 
proximity  and  the  ample  mark  offered  by  their  bodies, 
to  men  accustomed  to  behead  a  partridge  at  fifty  yards 
with  a  single  ball,  rendered  the  fire  most  destructive. 
The  scene  soon  became  one  of  intense  animation. 
Wreaths  of  smoke  curled  up  every  moment  into  the 
air  ;  and  the  hiss  of  bullets  and  slugs  was  mingled 
with  the  yells  of  the  wounded  and  the  savage  howls 
of  those  still  bent  on  the  attack. ,  Now  and  then  some 
of  the  older  and  fiercer  wolves  —  after  standing  in  a 
half  crouch,  with  gathered  haunches  and  extended 
fore-paws,  for  a  few  moments,  while  they  howled  them- 
selves into  a  fury  —  dashed  desperately  upon  the 
boulder,  in  a  hopeless  attempt  at  scrambling  up  its 
side.  But  the  hard,  perpendicular  surface  afforded 
them  no  footing  ;  and  they  fell  backward,  after  an  im- 
potent struggle,  lucky  if  a  bullet  had  not  meanwhile 
put  a  stop  to  any  further  display  of  activity. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        173 

The  ground  was  soon  strewn  with  a  dozen  or  more  dead 
bodies  ;  while  the  neighboring  bushes  were  filled  with 
disabled  combatants,  employed  alternately  in  nursing 
their  hurts  and  venting  their  mingled  rage  and  pain  in 
whines  and  growls.  The  evident  success  of  the  de- 
fense raising  the  spirits  of  the  besieged,  the  blood- 
thirsty temper  of  battle  gained  the  mastery ;  and  it 
began  to  be  a  source  of  excited  pleasure  and  a  trial 
of  skill,  with  the  youngsters  of  the  party. 

"  William,"  said  Butler,  "  see  those  two  stout 
fellows  standing  side  by  side  under  that  beech.  I  will 
put  a  ball  between  the  eyes  of  the  right-hand  one, 
and  do  you  take  the  chap  on  your  own  'side.  Are  you 
ready  ?  Now  then  —  one,  two,  three." 

The  guns  flashed  together ;  and  when  the  smoke 
cleared  away,  the  wolf  fired  at  by  Butler  lay  motion- 
less upon  the  ground,  a  large  crimson  spot  on  his  fore- 
head attesting  the  accuracy  of  the  aim.  William's  ball 
missed  the  head  of  its  object,  but,  grazing  under  his  ear, 
laid  open  a  ghastly  furrow  along  his  back.  The  spine 
of  the  beast  was  broken,  and  he  rolled  over  and  over 
upon  the  ground,  filling  the  air  with  hideous  howls 
of  agony. 

"  Not  clean  work,  William !  A  smooth-bore  is  not 
exactly  reliable.  But  you  made  a  close  shot.  Give 
the  poor  devil  another  to  put  him  out  of  his  misery." 

Both  recharged  their  guns,  and  were  just  on  the 
point  of  firing  again,  when  Marquis,  excjted  beyond 
measure  by  the  commotion  of  the  fight,  rushed  to  the 
brink  of  the  rock,  barking  with  all  his  might.  But, 
failing  to  check  his  career  in  time,  he  lost  his  balance 
just  upon  the  edge,  and  tumbled  over  among  the  bushes 
at  its  base.  During  the  whole  contest  he  had  been 
gallantly  darting  to  and  fro,  pouring  out  his  defiance 


174  SAM  SHIRK: 

of  the  charo-es  of  his  foes  below  ;  but  until  now  he  had 

O 

wisely  regulated  his  ardor  and  kept  his  ground  of 
vantage.  With  a  despairing  whine,  he  slid  over  the 
verge,  and  now  lay  crouching  and  trembling  in  the 
thicket.  Four  or  five  of  the  wolves  observed  his  fall, 
and  dashed  at  his  covert.  But  William,  holding  his 
gun  in  his  left  hand,  seized  the  end  of  a  long  bough 
with  his  right,  and  swung  himself  off  the  rock.  As  the 

o       *  o 

limb  bent  downward  with  his  weight,  he  let  go  his  hold 
and  dropped  upon  his  feet  by  the  side  of  his  shivering 
favorite.  Quick  as  thought,  his  leveled  gun  laid  the 
foremost  assailant  upon  the  ground.  But  two  more 
were  close  behind ;  and  other-s  still,  at  more  cautious 
distance,  menaced  to  support  the  attack.  Before  he 
could  fire  again,  the  second  rushed  in,  and  made  his 
point  at  the  dog.  Fortunately  for  poor  Marquis,  a 
rotten  stump  stood  directly  between  him  and  the  terri- 
ble jaws  of  his  enemy.  The  enraged  animal  seized 
upon  it  with  his  teeth,  and  tore  it  to  pieces  with  a  sin- 
gle effort.  But  while  his  mouth  was  full  of  the  rotten 
wood,  the  gallant  spaniel,  reassured  by  the  timely  aid 
of  his  young  master,  fastened  his  sharp  teeth  upon  his 
throat,  while  William  buried  his  knife  twice  in  his 
shaggy  breast,  and,  with  a  faint  growl,  he  fell  lifeless  on 
his  side.  Butler  had  hastily  followed  William  down, 
and  the  crack  of  his  rifle  sent  the  third  wolf  to  the  right 
about,  with  his  fore  leg  shattered  and  his  side  torn  open. 
Those  who  were  coming  up  in  the  rear,  intimidated 
with  this  warm  reception,  halted,  and,  crouching  in  a 
still  threatening  attitude,  contented  themselves  for  the 
present  with  a  ferocious  display  of  teeth  and  a  savage 
growling. 

Butler  now  stepped  boldly  to  the  front  and  reloaded  ; 
and  his  intrepid  demeanor,  together  with  the  severe 
lesson  they  had  received,  kept  them  in  check. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        175 

"  Carry  up  the  dog,  Bill.  Lean  your  gun  against 
the  tree,  and  I  will  take  it  with  mine.  But  load  first. 
I  can  then  keep  these  devils  back  with  three  shots  for 
time  enough." 

Loading  his  gun  as  rapidly  as  possible  and  leaving  it 
at  James's  side,  William  took  up  the  dog,  and,  placing 
him  upon  a  spur  of  the  rock  at  the  height  of  his  head, 
sprang  himself  up  into  the  tree  ;  and  the  two  were  again 
in  a  minute  safe  upon  the  summit.  Vexed  at  the 
escape  of  their  expected  prey,  the  crouching  wolves 
again  threatened  a  charge.  But  Butler's  cool  eye  was 
on  them.  The  moment  he  saw  them  rise  on  their 
haunches,  he  laid  aside  his  own  rifle,  as  a  sure  reserve, 
and  fired  both  barrels  of  William's  piece  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. Both  balls  took  effect,  and  a  general  retreat 
followed  the  discharge.  James,  taking  advantage  of 
the  lull,  clambered  through  the  tree  and  up  the  rock,  — 
William  meeting  him  half  way,  and  relieving  him  of 
the  supernumerary  gun. 

"  Well,  Marquis,  you  didn't  get  a  scratch,  after  all. 
Don't  try  that  again,  boy,  however." 

Marquis  did  not  seem  to  need  this  prudent  advice. 
He  looked  up  into  James's  face  and  wagged  his  tail 
gently,  but  lay  still  for  some  time,  panting  and  trem- 
bling, an  occasional  whine  testifying  to  the  perturba- 
tion of  mind  he  had  undergone. 

o 

"  You  managed  that  sally  bravely,  boys,"  said  the 
Captain.  "  I  stood  ready  to  fire,  all  the  while.  But 
you  got  along  so  well  that  I  would  not  interfere.  But 
what's  to  be  done  next  ?  For  my  part,  I  am  tired  of 
murdering  these  poor  wretches.  It  begins  to  look  too 
much  like  butchery." 

"  I  think,"  said  Butler,  "  that  if  we  lie  down  flat  upon 
the  rock,  for  some  time,  out  of  their  sight,  that  they 


176  SAM  SHIRK: 

will  gorge  themselves  upon  these  carcasses  and  be  off. 
If  they  won't,  I  don't  see  but  we  must  shoot  'em  up,  or 
stay  here  all  night." 

"  Let  us  try  your  plan  first.     I  think  it  will  work." 

So  saying,  the  Captain  stretched  himself  at  full  length, 
with  his  head  resting  on  the  unskinned  deer,  and  made 
himself  so  comfortable  that  he  fell  fast  asleep.  Wil- 
liam and  Butler  lay  down  side  by  side,  with  Marquis 
between  them,  keeping  up  a  conversation  in  whispers. 
The  dog,  still  trembling  with  fear  and  excitement, 
looked  occasionally  into  their  faces  with  a  low  whine 
and  licked  their  hands, —  as  if  to  express  his  reliance 
on  their  mutual  relations  of  offense  and  defense  against 
the  brutes,  whose  fierce  quarrelings  and  ravenous  con- 
tentions were  going  on  below  them. 

After  the  lapse  of  half  an  hour,  Butler,  on  peeping 
cautiously  over  the  edge  of  the  rock,  found  that  mat- 
ters had  taken  very  much  the  course  he  had  predicted. 
Many  of  the  dead  and  some  of  the  most  helpless  of  the 
wounded  animals  had  been  torn  to  pieces  and  devoured. 
Such  of  those  hurt,  as  were  able,  had  slunk  away. 
The  more  fortunate  survivors  of  the  fray  were  roaming 
about,  smelling  after  stray  fragments  of  skin  or  bones, 
or  squatting  in  little  groups,  with  the  lazy  and  apathetic 
air  of  all  brutes  after  a  good  meal.  Still  they  hung 
about  the  spot,  seemingly  inclined  to  take  things 
leisurely. 

Butler  glanced  at  the  sun,  and,  seeing  that  the  af- 
ternoon was  more  than  half  gone,  turned  to  advise 
with  his  associates  as  to  the  expediency  of  descending 
and  attempting  to  drive  them  off,  under  the  persuasion 
that  satiety,  as  well  as  the  experience  of  hard  knocks  to 
be  looked  for,  might  have  abated  their  ferocity.  As 
he  was  about  to  speak,  a  wreath  of  smoke  curled  up 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        177 

among  the  brush- wood  hard  by,  and  two  rifle-shots  fol- 
lowed each  other  in  rapid  succession.  One  of  the 
beasts  dropped  dead,  and  another,  with  a  broken  limb, 
hobbled  off  howling  into  the  woods.  Two  men  then 
pushed  through  the  bushes  with  a  shout,  which  ma- 
noeuvre,  accompanied  with  the  fresh  destruction  from 
a  new  and  unsuspected  enemy,  decided  the  wolves  to 
give  up  the  game.  The  younger  beasts  scampered  in 
all  quarters,  while  the  veterans  withdrew  in  a  sullen 
trot,  occasionally  turning  for  a  moment,  but  resuming 
their  retreat  before  the  ready  rifles  that  were  instantly 
leveled  at  the  loiterers,  till  not  one  remained  in  sight. 
One  of  the  new-comers  was  Sam  Shirk ;  the  other,  a 
tall  and  active  backwoodsman,  well  known  to  all  in 
the  neighborhood  as  Joe  Sibley.  The  besieged  party 
came  down  from  their  fortress,  and  greeted  their  op- 
portune allies. 

"  "Well,"  said  Sibley,  "  I  should  judge  you'd  had  a 
considerable  tall  wolf-fight,  by  the  looks  o'  things  here- 
abouts. Sam  and  I  was  out,  about  two  miles  above, 
and  heerd  a  regular  cannonading,  as  if  'twas  Fourth  o' 
July.  So,  arter  a  while,  we  concluded  to  come  and 
see  what  was  to  pay." 

"  I  am  glad  it  happened  so,"  replied  Butler,  "  for 
we  stood  a  good  chance  of  passing  the  night  up  yon- 
der." 

"  What  made  these  chaps  so  darned  saacy  ?  They 
must  have  been  terrible  sharp-set  to  stand  two  hours 
before  three  good  shots  like  you.  But  they're  allers 
saacier  when  there's  so  many  on  'em  together.  Your 
dog,  too,  made  'em  wus.  They'll  allers  hang  on  wus, 
where  there's  any  brute  critters  they  think  they  can 
get  at  than  where  there's  nothin'  but  men.  By  Gosh  ! 
four,  five,  six,  eight,  twelve,  sixteen  carcasses,  besides 
12 


178  SAM  SHIRK: 

the  one  I  jest  shot,  and  no  partickler  quantity  that 
they've  eat  up  among  themselves.  Pretty  fair  work, — 
you  an't  been  slow, —  that's  a  fact." 

While  Joe  was  discussing  the  case,  Sam  had  set  to 
work  to  skin  such  of  the  animals  as  had  not  been  de- 
voured by  their  comrades.  Marquis,  who  was  an  old 
acquaintance,  kept  in  close  attendance  upon  him,  smell- 
ing and  nuzzling  the  warm  flesh,  as  Shirk's  ready 
knife  exposed  it  to  view,  and  starting  back  now  and 
then,  with  a  half-frightened  bark,  when  a  sudden  roll 
or  motion  of  a  limb  recalled  to  his  memory  the  fearful 
activity  of  his  living  antagonists.  This  economical  pro- 
ceeding, which  occupied  his  practiced  hand  but  a  short 
time,  being  finished,  he  threw  down  the  skins  before 
Captain  Dee. 

"  There,  Captain,  that  yellerish  one  is  the  hide  of 
the  critter  Joe  killed.  The  rest  is  your'n,  unless 
you'll  give  me  one  ;  for  I  want  a  wolf-skin  bad.  I've 
been  a  tryin'  to  shoot  one  all  day." 

"  You  may  have  'em  all,  Sam,  unless  the  boys  here 
want  them." 

Butler  and  William  waved  their  claims,  and  Sam 
joyfully  bundled  up  the  best  of  them,  and,  tying  them 
round  with  a  cord,  placed  them  over  his  shoulder,  on 
the  end  of  his  rifle.  Two  or  three  long  tails,  dangling 
down  his  back,  gave  to  his  figure  an  odd  and  comical 
appearance ;  and  Marquis  could  not  restrain  himself 
from  jumping  up,  every  five  minutes,  to  worry  at  his 
supernumerary  caudal  appendages.  Joe  Sibley  threw 
the  saddle  and  haunches  of  William's  deer  over  his 
broad  shoulders ;  and  all  started  to  leave  the  spot. 

"  Well,  where  are  we  bound,  James  ?  "  said  the 
Captain.  "  We  can't  very  well  get  home  to  night. 
It's  sunset  already." 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        179 

**  No,  no,  come  along  to  my  house.  'Tan't  more 
than  three  mile.  We  can  give  ye  all  sumthin'  to  eat ; 
and,  if  ye  can't  do  no  better,  some  of  ye,  it'll  be  as 
good  to  sleep  on  the  hay,  as  out  door." 

Joe's  invitation  was  accepted  with  as  little  ceremony 
as  it  Avas  given.  The  sun  had  set,  and  dimness  had 
gradually  crept  in  among  the  tall  trees  of  the  dense 
forest,  when  a  patch  of  brighter  atmosphere  gradually 
opened  upon  them,  hovering  over  a  cleared  field  sur- 
rounded by  a  rough  hedge  of  felled  trees  and  bushes, 
and  stretching  out  widely  in  front  of  them.  Passing 
through  a  gap,  the  proprietor  led  the  way  towards  a 
bright  light,  twinkling  out  upon  the  gray  evening  and 
the  black  shadow  of  the  forest,  like  a  star  through  a 
heavy  cloud.  The  light  shone  through  a  little  square 
window  of  Sibley's  log-house  ;  and  the  travellers  were 
soon  enjoying  the  welcome  warmth  of  the  glowing  fire 
that  was  roaring  up  the  rough  stone  chimney. 


180  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

JOE  SIBLEY'S  dwelling  was  of  the  construction  ordi- 
narily fonnd  upon  the  frontiers  of  civilization.  Its 
walls  consisted  of  logs,  laid  up  in  successive  tiers  and 
notched  into  each  other  at  the  intersection  of  the  cor- 
ners. The  interstices  being  closely  packed  with  moss 
and  clay,  made  a  snug  habitation,  that  defied  effectu- 
ally even  the  keen  cold  of  winter.  Two  square  open- 
ings in  the  sides  of  each  of  the  two  rooms,  into  which 
the  interior  was  divided,  were  filled  by  sashes  of  four 
panes  of  glass  each.  The  roof  was  composed  of  sheets 
of  hemlock  bark,  laid  carefully  and  closely  over  the 
rafters  ;  and  from  its  centre  peeped  forth  a  chimney, 
built  of  small  sticks  laid  up  in  "  Harry  house  "  fashion, 
and  plastered  within  and  without  with  clay.  The  base 
of  this  structure  stood  before  the  eye  as  one  entered, 
but  constructed  of  flat  stones  neatly  laid  up ;  and  the 
hearths  were  of  the  same  material.  Floors,  partitions 
and  shelves,  of  rough  boards  indifferently  well  put 
together,  completed  the  inside  finish ;  while  a  ladder, 
that  ran  up  alongside  the  chimney  through  the  floor 
overhead,  served  as  staircase  to  the  sleeping  apart- 
ments in  the  roof.  The  door  revolved  on  hinges,  and 
closed  with  a  latch  of  hard  wood  ;  the  latter  being  of 
that  primitive  construction  described  to  little  Red  Rid- 
ing-hood,—  "  If  you  pull  at  the  bobbin,  the  latch  will 
fly  up."  The  hands  of  the  owner  were  aided  by  no 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        181 

mechanical  appliances  but  the  saw,  the  axe,  the  auger, 
and  ajackknife  in  the  raising  of  the  dwelling;  and  so 
ingeniously  simple  were  the  contrivances  resorted  to 
for  accomplishing  the  usual  functions  of  its  various 
parts,  that  a  very  trifling  sum  would  cover  the  cost 
of  all  the  "  boughten  "  materials  employed.  Indeed, 
except  the  nails  used  in  the  interior  and  the  few  panes 
of  glass  in  the  sashes,  there  were  no  traces  of  the 
multiform,  convenient  and  labor-saving  productions 
of  the  workshop  or  manufactory.  Bolts,  locks,  and 
springs  there  were  none  ;  and,  as  we  have  said,  the 
latches  and  hinges  grew  in  the  forest.  Paint,  paper, 
and  even  plastering  were  luxuries  easily  dispensed 
with.  But  here  and  there  the  coarse  partition  was 
concealed  by  a  bill  of  huge  dimensions,  displaying 
astounding  portraits  of  the  animals  contained  in  the 
cages  of  a  travelling  menagerie.  Here  the  elephant, 
lion,  and  rhinoceros,  with  a  host  of  lesser  wonders, 
attended  by  Dandy  Jack  and  his  pony,  exhibited  their 
uncouth  figures,  to  instruct  and  amuse  the  young  dwell- 
ers in  the  woods.  Ever  and  anon,  the  shingles  or 
sheets  of  birch-bark  that  were  patched  upon  the  logs, 
shone  out  in  the  splendor  of  gamboge  and  vermilion, 
liberally  spread  upon  the  surface  of  a  print  of  Wash- 
ington or  Marlborough,  or  some  ideal  female  beauty, 
that,  by  some  odd  chance,  had  found  their  way  from 
the  print-shops  of  London  or  Paris  into  the  wilderness. 
A  cupboard  and  row  of  shelves,  containing  a  small 
assortment  of  the  usual  table-ware,  sufficed  for  that 
department  of  the  household  arrangements.  A  small 
looking-glass  against  the  wall  lent  its  services  to  the 
females  of  the  family,  and  enabled  the  rougher  sex  to 
reduce  their  chins,  each  Sunday  morning,  to  the  con- 
dition prescribed  by  modern  taste.  Here  and  there 


182  SAM  SHIRK: 

hung  upon  a  nail  various  small  matters  of  family  or 
personal  use  or  fancy.  A  birchen  basket,  shaped  like 
a  cartridge-box,  hanging  by  its  open  lid,  would  be 
found,  on  inspection,  to  contain  a  comb,  a  head-brush, 
a  pin-cushion,  and  a  pair  of  scissors,  perchance  a  razor 
and  its  strop.  Another  similar  box,  also  in  convenient 
proximity  to  the  mirror,  would  furnish  forth,  on  festive 
occasions  or  upon  the  Sabbath,  sundry  strings  of  beads, 
a  somewhat  faded  feather,  or  a  bunch  of  artificial 
flowers.  Two  or  three  chests,  containing  apparel  or 
tools,  were  ranged  on  the  sides  of  the  rooms,  the  tops 
of  which  officiated  as  "  chaises  longues,"  while  their 
capacious  interiors  served  to  hold  a  goodly  store  of 
useful  articles  in  safety. 

In  one  corner,  a  huge,  square  chair  stood  against  the 
wall,  that  seemed  made  for  the  accommodation  of  some 
Patagonian.  But  the  ample  surface,  which,  hinged 
upon  the  arms,  rose  up  behind,  told  the  curious  inquirer 
that  three  times  a  day  it  was  let  down  upon  those 
rectangular  arms,  to  spread  the  family  repast.  In  fact, 
it  was  the  rude  and  humble  prototype  of  that  well- 
known  piece  of  furniture,  which,  —  the  chair  portion  re- 
fined away  and  the  material  changed,  —  occupied  the 
corners  of  our  grandmothers'  parlors  in  all  the  gloss 
and  sombre  dignity  of  mahogany.  Now,  retreating 
before  modern  innovation,  they  are  fallen  from  parlor 
and  drawing-room  to  the  humbler  apartments,  where 
their  unobtrusive  and  room-economizing  usefulness  is 
still  appreciated. 

Alas  for  the  fast-vanishing  simplicity  of  our  fathers  ! 
We  are  fallen  off  sadly  from  the  republican  plainness 
of  the  days  of  cocked  hats,  knee-breeches,  and  vener- 
able pig-tails.  Profusion  and  extravagance  are  mak- 
ing advances  among  us  beyond  the  line  of  prudence 
and  the  true  limits  of  our  social  circumstances.  And 


A   TALE   OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        183 

yet,  ye  cynics  of  economy,  it  may  not  be  well  alto- 
gether to  weigh  the  tastes  and  preferences  that  best 
distinguish  us  from  the  brutes,  too  severely  against 
mere  dollars  and  cents.  It  would  not  be  well  that  we 
should  not  know,  or  should  not  care  for,  the  difference 
between  the  tub  of  Diogenes  and  the  Tusculan  villa  of 

O 

Cicero.  Shall  we,  like  the  hog,  provided  we  get  our 
dinner,  be  indifferent  as  to  what  trough  holds  it  ?  Who 
would  not,  provided  he  could  afford  it,  —  and  this  pro- 
viso is,  we  confess,  more  important  than  many  seem  to 
think  it,  —  spend  a  superfluous  hundred,  to  dine  from  a 
table  that  Praxiteles  might  have  designed  or  Alcibiades 
feasted  at?  The  gentle  pleasures  of  the  eye,  as  it 
drinks  in  grace  and  beauty  at  every  glance,  are  worth 
time  and  money  and  reverence  too.  It  is  better,  im- 
measurably better,  to  see  your  young  wife  bending 
over  her  sleeping  treasure,  not  esconced  in  a  candle- 
box  on  rockers,  but  nestled,  like  Cupid,  in  a  lotus- 
leaf  so  nicely  balanced  that  Psyche's  breath  might 
give  it  motion. 

We  should  not  forget  that  the  virtues  of  prudence 
and  economy, —  for  that  they  are  virtues,  and  of  primary 
importance  too,  many  a  penniless  prodigal  can  substan- 
tiate by  a  negative  pregnant, —  are  not  ends,  but  means. 
They  are  not  our  only  desirable  bosom-friends  and 
fireside  cronies,  because  they  are  faithful  drudges  in 
the  counting-house  and  invaluable  prompters  upon 
'change.  The  wreath  of  Taste  and  Genius  adds  beauty 
to  the  column,  whose  strength  it  does  not  impair  so 
long  as  it  is  the  clustering  garland  of  the  trained  flower. 
It  is  noxious  when,  like  the  misletoe  and  the  ivy,  it 
finds  its  support  in  the  bosom  of  incipient  decay. 
Deep  and  generous  is  the  philosophy  of  the  Frenchman, 
—  "  The  love  of  the  beautiful  is  the  virtue  of  the  in- 
tellect." 


184  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XX. 

"  I'VE  brought  some  folks  to  stop  over  night,  Lid- 
dy,"  said  Joe  Sibley  to  his  wife,  while  the  party  were 
laying  aside  their  guns  and  other  incumbrances. 

"  So  I  see  —  'tan't  often  you  don't,"  replied  his 
spouse,  apparently  a  little  pettish  at  the  prospect  of 
additional  trouble  to  herself,  involved  in  the  fact  an- 
nounced. 

No  inhospitable  reluctance,  however,  was  implied 
in  the  good  woman's  speech.  The  guests,  who  well 
knew  the  character  both  of  host  and  hostess,  only 
smiled  at  the  peevish  sally,  while  they  disposed  them- 
selves comfortably  about  the  room.  Mrs.  Sibley,  after 
a  brief  salutation  to  all,  applied  herself  without  an- 
other word  to  her  appropriate  duties,  —  put  a  huge 
supply  of  potatoes  into  the  big  iron  pot,  sliced  up  a 
piece  of  fat  salted  pork  into  the  frying  pan,  and  while 
the  potatoes  danced  and  bubbled,  and  the  pork  sput- 
tered and  curled  over  the  fire,  went  to  her  bread-pan, 
and  commenced  moulding  the  little  biscuits  to  be 
baked  in  the  tin  baker  before  the  bright  blaze.  Mean- 
while her  eldest  daughter,  who  probably  had,  at  the 
age  of  twelve,  more  practical  skill  in  housewifery  than 
most  city  dames  ever  attain,  spread  the  table  and  set 
the  best  tea-pot  on  the  hearth,  in  readiness  to  receive 
its  fragrant  infusion. 

It  was  not  altogether  without  reason  that  the   mis- 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        185 

tress  of  the  house  had  commented  upon  her  husband's 
hospitality.  In  the  early  settlements  of  all  countries, 
as  among  barbarous  peoples,  hospitality  is,  from  the 
very  necessity  of  the  case,  a  prominent  virtue.  All 
grant  without  hesitation,  and  almost  without  a  thought 
of  conferring  favor,  what  all  must,  at  times,  be  com- 
pelled to  ask,  to  secure  comfort,  or  even  not  uncom- 
monly to  preserve  existence.  But  the  universal  and 
matter-of-course  free  quarters  of  rude  and  straggling 
communities  were  extended  to  an  unusual  compass 
with  Sibley.  In  the  first  place,  he  was  a  frank,  cor- 
dial, and  warm-hearted  man  by  nature,  careless  and 
improvident  withal  in  his  temperament.  Shrewd,  en- 
ergetic, and  full  of  expedients,  he  always  managed, 
somehow  or  other,  to  supply  his  immediate  wants, 
and  seldom  troubled  himself  about  economizing  re- 
sources on  hand.  Whatever  there  might  be  in  the 
flour-barrel,  molasses  keg,  or  box  of  tea  and  sugar, — 
whether  more  or  less, —  was  at  the  service  of  any  who 
wanted ;  and,  although  patient  and  steady  industry 
was  by  no  means  his  forte,  the  master  of  the  house 
was  seldom  at  a  loss  for  means  of  renewing  the  stock. 
Joe  was  one  of  the  wandering  and  restless  men  so 
common  in  the  backwoods.  He  spent  nine  tenths  of 
his  time  in  hunting  or  in  various  speculative  excursions 
about  the  neighborhood. 

Twenty  miles  of  a  rough  and  tangled  horse-path, 
bristling  with  stumps  and  stones  and  interspersed  with 
sloughs,  crossed  by  bridgeless  brooks  and  swamps,  lay 
between  his  house  and  the  village  at  the  falls  near  the 
river's  mouth.  Yet  seldom  did  a  week  pass  over  his 
head  without  a  visit  to  Merrifield.  The  toilsome  jour- 
ney was  an  insignificant  trifle  to  his  robust  and  act- 
ive limbs  ;  and  his  busy  mind  was  always  provided 


186  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  some  excuse,  more  or  less  tangible,  for  the  expe- 
dition. Nor  did  Merrifield  bound  the  sphere  of  his 
operations.  In  all  the  little  hamlets  of  the  neighbor- 
ing regions,  everybody  knew  Joe  Sibley ;  and  every- 
body liked  him  for  his  careless  good  nature,  and  be- 
cause he  was  always  ready  to  enter  into  any  new 
scheme  or  to  make  a  trade.  No  man,  in  all  those 
parts,  bought,  sold,  or  swapped  horses,  cattle,  logs,  or 
lesser  articles  of  commerce,  half  so  often  as  Joe.  He 
generally  made  a  good  bargain  for  himself;  yet  he  was 
honest  and  fair  in  his  dealings.  We  must,  however, 
make  one  exception  to  his  morality.  He  was  not  al- 
ways up  to  his  word.  Good-natured  and  lazy,  he 
never  liked  to  say  No,  —  but  was  apt  to  promise  any- 
thing that  was  asked,  and  perform  his  promise  or  not, 
as  might  prove  convenient.  Always  disposed  to  traffic 
out  of  all  proportion  to  his  capital,  he  was  far  from 
prompt,  sometimes,  in  his  payments.  But  lie  always 
contrived,  in  the  long  run,  to  "turn  something  or 
other,"  as  he  phrased  it,  so  as  to  meet  his  obligations. 
He  seldom  had  a  cent  of  money ;  but  he  could  scarcely 
meet  a  man  with  whom  he  had  not  some  running  ac- 
count or  unfinished  transaction,  out  of  which  he  could 
make  resources  for  his  immediate  purposes.  In  fact, 
Joe's  various  operations,  big  and  little,  constituted  no 
small  part  of  the  circulating  medium  of  the  trade  of 
the  valley.  Not  implicitly  reliable,  but  pretty  sure  to 
come  out  right  side  up,  sooner  or  later,  his  credit  was 
not  first-rate,  yet  everybody  was  willing  to  risk  a  trade 
with  him ;  and  Joe  always  wanted  to  buy  or  do  some- 
thing, that  made  a  vent  for  almost  any  commodity  and 
an  opportunity  for  every  possible  arrangement.  He 
was  the  very  impersonation  of  barter,  and  the  channel 
through  which  an  endless  series  of  exchanges  and  petty 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         187 

contracts  found  their  completion.  His  business  habits 
were  of  so  desultory  a  stamp,  and  his  processes  so 
multiform  and  loose,  that  it  would  have  been  a  mira- 
cle, with  anybody  else,  that  half  of  them  should  be 
brought  to  any  conclusion.  Yet,  though  he  could  not 
write,  beyond  signing  his  name,  nor  read  manuscript 
with  any  facility,  he  managed,  by  an  inexhaustible 
activity  and  with  the  help  of  a  tenacious  memoiy, 
strengthened  by  perpetual  exercise,  to  keep  along  his 
numberless  matters  and  preserve  the  run  of  his  ac- 
counts with  his  neighbors.  He  drove  over  the  rude 
roads  —  when  not  on  horseback  or  on  foot  —  in  some 
old  wagon  that  threatened  continually  instant  disso- 
lution of  its  component  parts,  and  every  day  or  two 
with  a  new  horse,  and  every  week  or  two,  a  new,  old 
harness.  His  locomotive  arrangements  were,  like  his 
jangling  and  disorderly  system  of  business,  appalling 
and  useless  to  anybody  else,  but  just  suited  to  him. 
He  "  worried  along  "  —  to  use  his  own  language  — 
with  both  of  them,  after  his  own  peculiar  fashion.  If 
his  carriage  broke  down  or  his  business  got  cramped 
occasionally,  it  only  served  to  call  out  some  extra  in- 
genuity or  queer  contrivance  to  meet  the  temporary 
emergency.  Thus  he  always  devised  means,  not  only 
"  to  make  one  hand  wash  t'other,"  in  the  main,  but 
to  keep  at  his  command  a  far  greater  variety  and  ex- 
tent of  resources  than  his  more  methodical  neighbors. 
One  result  of  his  habits  and  character  was,  that  all  the 
loose  odds  and  ends  of  the  vicinity,  animate  or  inan- 
imate, were  generally  hanging  about  him.  Every 
shiftless,  houseless  vagabond  came,  as  a  last  resource, 
to  Sibley.  His  good  nature  housed  and  fed  them-,  in 
their  hour  of  want ;  while  his  shrewdness  got  out  of 
them  remuneration  by  setting  them  about  the  jobs 


188  SAM  SHIRK: 

which  he  lacked  leisure  or  industry  to  attend  to 
himself.  Thus  there  were  generally  two  or  three 
stragglers  hanging  around  his  premises,  who,  for  their 
board  and  lodging,  or  such  hap-hazard  compensation 
as  was  convenient  for  him  to  make,  took  care  of  his 
homestead,  as  far  as  it  was  cared  for  at  all,  and  left  him 
at  liberty  to  hunt,  trade,  or  loaf  about  at  pleasure. 
The  shiftlessness  of  these  dependents  was  more  in  har- 
mony with  his  modes  of  arrangement,  or  rather  his 
want  of  arrangement,  than  conducive  to  the  comfort 
and  regularity  of  his  household.  His  wife,  who  was  a 
tidy  and  thrifty  woman,  often  looked  askance  at  the 
tatterdemalion  crew  with  which  her  husband  sur- 
rounded their  home.  But,  conscious  that  remedy 
there  was  none,  she  never  made  any  more  serious  re- 
monstrances than  that  with  which  she  had  greeted  his 
return  at  this  time  ;  and  the  fretfulness  of  the  remark 
was  doubtless  induced  more  by  general  considerations 
than  any  want  of  welcome  for  her  present  guests. 
With  quiet  and  practiced  celerity,  —  for  she  was  used 
to  such  demands  upon  her  diligence,  at  all  hours  and 
seasons,  —  she  prepared  a  neat,  but  simple  repast. 
When  all  was  in  order,  she  lighted  a  dipped  tallow 
candle,  which  she  placed  upon  the  table,  and  an- 
nounced that  "tea  was  ready." 

The  meal  was  dispatched  with  the  appetite  which 
exercise  in  the  open  air  alone  can  afford.  The  table 
was  drawn  back  upon  one  side,  where  the  good  house- 
wife busied  herself  in  clearing  up.  The  candle  was 
blown  out ;  for  such  artificial  light  was  here  used  only 
for  special  occasions, —  the  ruddy  blaze  from  the  broad 
hearth  affording  abundant  illumination  for  the  ordinary 
occupations  of  the  evening.  Captain  Dee,  Sibley,  and 
Shirk  produced  their  pipes  and  tobacco ;  and  conver- 
sation and  rest  became  the  amusements  of  the  hour. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        189 

"  Well,  Captain,"  said  their  host,  "  your  scrape 
with  the  wolves  out  yonder  puts  me  in  mind  of  a  time 
I  once  had  myself  with  a  thunderin'  bear,  down  here 
on  the  meadows." 

"  Let's  have  the  story,  Joe,  by  all  means." 
"  Well,  ye  see  I  started  one  day  afoot  to  go  down 
to  the  village  ;  and  jest  over  Great  Falls'  branch 
down  in  that  'ere  meadow  to  the  right  of  the  track,  I 
see  a  burstin'  great  bear.  I  hadn't  no  gun  with  me, 
but  I  thought  I  might  have  some  fun  ;  so  I  crept  down 
among  the  bushes  and  worked  along  till  I  got  close  on 
to  him ;  and  then  I  jumped  out  and  hollered.  I  ex- 
pected to  skeer  him,  of  course  ;  for,  you  know,  a  bear 
'11  most  always  run.  But,  instid  o'  that,  the  crittur 
faced  round,  and  begun  to  show  fight,  and  growled  like 
destruction.  Just  then,  too,  I  see  two  cubs  skulking 
into  the  bushes ;  and  then  I  knowed  right  well  'twas 
an  old  she  one  ;  and  that  I'd  got  a  customer.  I  felt 
in  my  pockets  for  my  jack-knife,  but  it  warn't  there. 
I  couldn't  see  a  stick  nowhere.  There  wasn't  nothin' 
round  but  a  parcel  of  darned  alder  bushes.  So  I 
begun  to  think  I'd  been  a  pretty  considerable  fool  to 
get  into  sech  a  fix.  But  she  didn't  give  me  much 
time  to  think  about  it  at  all ;  for  she  came  right  at  me 

9  O 

and  ris  up  on  her  hind  legs  for  a  hug.  But,  says  I  to 
myself,  that  won't  do,  marm, —  it's  too  friendly  by  a 

d d  sight.     So,  ye  see,  as  I  hadn't  nothin'  to  fight 

with,  I  had  to  run.  I  backed  out  through  the  bushes, 
till  I  was  lucky  enough  to  come  to  a  small  birch  that 
run  up  about  ten  foot,  without  a  limb.  When  I  got 
it  jest  to  my  back,  she  was  follerin'  close  onto  me.  I 
kept  my  face  to  her  all  along  ;  and  when  I  got  to  the 
tree,  I  off  with  my  cap  and  threw  it  right  at  her  eyes. 
She  ris  up  agin,  straight  away ;  and  as  soon  as  I  saw 


190  SAM  SHIRK: 

her  up  on  eend,  I  turned  round  and  jumped  for  the 
branches.  I  jest  got  where  I  could  catch  hold  and 
swing  myself  up,  when  down  she  came,  and  at  the 
tree,  like  possessed.  She  was  as  mad  as  the  devil  to  see 
me  out  o'  reach,  and  she  sot  out  to  come  arter  me  and 
grappled  the  birch,  but  it  was  so  small  she  couldn't 
grip  it.  All  she  could  do  was  to  stick  her  claws  into 
the  bark  and  histe  up  on  her  hind  legs.  Just  as 
soon  as  she  drew  up  to  climb,  her  claws  would  give 
out,  and  down  she'd  go.  It  wan't  very  comfortable, 
though,  to  sit  there  within  less  than  a  foot  of  her  ugly 
muzzle,  you  may  depend.  Now,  ye  see,  I  had  my  dog 
with  me,  —  a  little  bit  of  a  feller,  not  half  so  big  as 
your  Marquis  there.  The  little  chap  was  good  stuff, 
though  ;  and  he'd  been  havin'  a  time  among;  the  cubs, 

O  O  3 

while  the  old  one  and  I  was  dodgin'  round.  Jest  as 
soon  as  he  see  I  was  tree'd,  and  the  tarnal  old  beast 
was  tryin'  to  get  at  me,  he  pitched  into  her  like  smoke, 
and  set  his  teeth  in  her  haunches  right  smart ;  for  he 
was  a  terrible  sharp-bitten  feller.  He  warn't  big 
enough  to  do  her  no  harm,  to  speak  of;  but  I  guess 
he  made  her  smart  some,  for  she'd  tumble  down  quick- 
er'n  lightnin',  and  arter  him.  Away  they'd  go, —  dog, 
bear,  and  cubs, —  through  the  grass  and  bushes,  grunt- 
in',  growlin',  and  barkin',  till  the  old  devil  would  find 
out  she  couldn't  catch  him  ;  and  then  she'd  come  back 
to  look  arter  me.  Spring  laid  off  a  piece  and  kept 
still  then,  till  she'd  get  savage  agin  and  try  to  git  up 
the  tree.  But  jest  as  fast  as  she  started  up,  he  let  in  ; 
and  she  wouldn't  be  fairly  on  eend  before  he'd  have 
her  by  the  tail.  So  we  kept  it  up  above  half  an  hour ; 
and  I  begun  to  think  the  old  crittur  would  a'  kept  me 
there  all  day.  But  I  happened  to  think  that,  if  I  sent 
Spring  off,  she  might  get  tired  and  give  it  up.  So  I 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        191 

hollered  at  him,  and  he  poked  off  among  the  brush, 
out  o'  sight.  In  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  more,  the 
old  sarpent  made  up  her  mind  she  couldn't  come  it ; 
and,  arter  givin'  me  a  handsome  growl  or  two,  by  way 
of  sayin'  '  good-mornin','  she  started  and  looked 
up  her  cubs  and  cleared  out.  Arter  she  was  out  o' 
sight,  I  got  down,  and  Spring  and  I  went  along.  I 
made  up  my  mind  that  mornin'  I'd  never  play  with 
them  critturs  any  more,  —  specially  when  I  hadn't  got 
no  gun." 

"  You  were  worse  off  than  we  were  with  the  wolves 
to-day,  Joe,"  said  Butler,  after  the  peals  of  laughter 
that  followed  Sibley's  story  had  subsided. 

"Wasn't  I?  If  I'd  had  a  gun,  I  wouldn't  have 
vallied  her  at  all.  But,  as  it  was,  I  wished  she  was 
furder.  I  hardly  ever  knowed  a  bear,  though,  to  tackle 
anybody.  Jem  Succobash,  the  Indian,  was  out  jest 
above  here  one  day,  and  a  comin'  along  home  towards 
night,  when  a  great  old  bear  jumped  out  of  a  bush  on 
him,  and  tore  his  shoulder  awful  bad.  It  was  jest 
about  dusk,  and  I  suppose  Jem  was  goin'  along  tired 
and  keerless,  or  he'd  seen  him  sooner.  A  lot  of  us 
went  out  arter  him  next  day,  and  killed  him.  He  had 
a  great  cut  in  his  breast,  where  Jem  knifed  him  ;  but 
he  made  a  stout  fight,  and  killed  one  of  our  dogs,  for 
all  that.  I  got  six  or  seven  gallons  of  oil  out  of  him." 

"  Do  the  wolves  trouble  you  much  out  here,  Joe  ?  " 

"Not  much.  They  make  a  tarnal  howlin'  some- 
times o'  nights,  round  the  house.  I  can't  keep  sheep, 
for  'em.  I  tried  it  a  spell,  but  it  wan't  no  use.  They 
got  more  mutton  than  I  did.  They'll  dog  a  feller  that's 
out  alone  arter  dark,  sometimes ;  but  they  never  med- 
dled with  me  in  the  day-time." 

The  evening  was  worn  away  in   the  discussion  of 


192  SAM  SHIRK: 

these  and  similar  topics,  and  a  general  stir  preluded 
preparations  for  sleep.  Mrs.  Sibley  announced  that 
she  had  made  such  arrangements  as  she  could,  in  the 
other  room  of  the  house,  for  Captain  Dee,  William,  and 
Butler.  Sam  Shirk  made  himself  a  bed,  which  he  con- 
sidered luxurious,  out  of  his  wolf-skins  ;  and  silence  and 
slumber  soon  pervaded  the  dwelling. 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS    OF  MAINE.        193 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  morning  dawned  as  clear  and  brilliant  as  the 
preceding ;  and  the  household  of  Sibley  were  afoot 
with  the  first  peep  of  day.  The  sun  had  not  yet  risen 
when  Dee,  accompanied  by  James  and  William,  with  a 
clean  towel  upon  his  arm,  took  his  way  to  a  fine,  clear 
spring  that  bubbled  up  in  the  field  hard  by  the  house, 
to  make  their  simple  toilet.  A  copious  ablution  in  the 
pure,  cold  water  sufficed  for  all  purposes  of  health  and 
comfort.  Sibley's  farm  was  upon  the  top  of  one  of 
those  hard-wood  ridges,  so  commonly  chosen  by  the 
early  settlers.  As  they  stood  bareheaded  in  the  fresh 
morning,  their  eyes  were  irresistibly  attracted  by  the 
magnificent  landscape  before  them  ;  although  it  was 
perfectly  familiar  to  them  all. 

Their  position  was  high  enough  to  command  a  large 
extent  of  country  in  all  directions.  In  the  early  light, 
a  dim,  grayish-green  tint,  with  heavy  shadows  of  the 
deepest  gloom,  still  hung  over  the  wooded  hollows. 
The  eastern  sides  of  the  long  swells  were  defined  in  the 
full  dark  green  of  the  northern  forests ;  while  the  sum- 
mits of  the  hills  and  mountains  and  the  prominent  tops 
of  lofty  trees  glowed  with  the  distinctest  hues  of  day, 
and  sparkled  with  the  earliest  rays  of  the  sun,  yet  in- 
visible through  the  dense  growth  that  skirted  the  hori- 
zon. Damp,  black  shadows  slumbered  on  the  western 
sides  of  the  hills ;  the  light  dews  were  floating  up,  in 
13 


194  SAM   SHIRK: 

slender  threads,  from  the  valleys  ;  and  the  sharp-cut 
belt  of  woods  around  the  limits  of  the  clearing  rose 
like  a  girdling  wall  about  them,  with  night  and  darkness 
hanging  in  its  leafy  recesses  on  one  side,  while  the 
other  half  of  the  circuit  was  lighting  up  with  momen- 
tarily increasing  day.  Behind  them,  the  high  ridge  of 
Pleasant  Mountain  still  buried  in  shadow  the  long 
slopes  that  stretched  up  to  its  summit ;  while  the  bald 
ledge,  which  formed  its  sterile  crown,  glimmered  in  the 
upward-slanting  sunlight,  and  each  dwarfed  birch  and 
stunted  spruce  was  penciled  clearly  against  the  sky. 
On  their  left,  the  gradually  descending  land-fall  sloped 
away  southward,  till,  beyond  the  limit  of  distinct  vision, 
the  bosom  of  the  ocean  reflected  the  rays  of  the  sun 
just  streaming  over  its  surface,  in  a  blaze  of  gold.  In 
front  of  them,  a  series  of  rugged  and  lofty  hills,  girdled 
each  with  a  distinct  line,  where  the  evergreen  trees 
yielded  up  the  bleak  summits  to  their  tougher  brethren 
of  the  hard-wood  tribes,  rose  at  various  distances,  cut- 
ting off  in  irregular  succession  the  vistas  across  the 
lower  grounds,  till  they  formed  a  continuous  blue  bar- 
rier along  the  valley  of  the  broad  Penobscot.  On  the 
right,  opened  the  narrow  pathway  of  the  swift  Narra- 
guagus ;  the  twin  summits  of  Humpback  Mountain, 
looming  up  lonely  sentinels  on  its  farther  verge,  about 
two  miles  from  where  they  stood,  while  the  gradually 
sloping  descents  that  trended  northward  from  its  lofty 
pinnacles  and  from  the  somewhat  lower  brow  of  Pleas- 
ant Mountain,  guarded  a  long  opening  into  the  heart 
of  the  wilderness  ;  until  the  blue  distance  finally  melted 
into  the  dim  outlines  of  Katahdin  on  the  one  side,  and 
the  Schoodic  highlands  on  the  other. 

"  By  the  Heaven  that  made  us  and  all  this  glorious 
world,  what  a  prospect  for  a  man's  eye  to  open  upon 
every  morning  !  "  burst  forth  Dee. 


A    TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         195 

"  Yes,  indeed,  it  is  a  scene  to  stir  one's  inmost  soul, 
Captain.  Yet  I  am  afraid  it  would  lose  much  of  its 
power  over  us,  if  we  saw  it  every  day.  Our  friend 
Joe  there  never  looks  at  it,  but  to  pick  out  the  best 
glades  of  timber  or  guess  at  the  most  promising  hunt- 
ing-grounds. This  very  minute  he  is  thinking  of 
nothing  but  his  breakfast,  I'll  bet  my  rifle  to  a  popgun." 

"  I  dare  say.  But  isn't  it  strange,  James,  that  a 
man  can  live  among  such  scenery,  and  never  get  an 
idea  or  experience  a  feeling  that  might  not  spring  up 
as  well  in  a  potato-field  ?  " 

"  It  is  incomprehensible,  yet  I  believe  that  the  greater 
portion  of  the  world,  even  of  its  educated  classes,  pay 
very  little  attention  to  the  wonders  of  Nature,  either 
in  the  magnificence  of  its  extent  or  the  beauties  of  its 
detail.  They  go  through  life  with  their  hearts  shut  to 
all  these  things,  and  know  hardly  more  what  is  about 
them  than  a  blind  man." 

"  True  enough.  I  believe  God  means  that  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  our  happiness  should  consist  in  the 
admiration  and  enjoyment  of  the  outward  world. 
Else,  why  is  it  so  grand,  so  beautiful,  and  so  endlessly 
various  to  boot  ?  It  makes  me  downright  angry  to 
find  a  man  never  thinking  of  the  glorious  sky,  except 
to  know  whether  it  is  hot  or  cold,  or  if  he  wants  to 
take  his  umbrella  out  with  him  or  not.  Then,  if  you 
do  find  one  who  calls  himself  a  lover  of  Nature,  he 

often  does  nothing  but  hunt  up  some  d d  ugly  bug 

to  skewer  into  a  box  with  a  pin.  He  don't  care  a  cop- 
per for  the  most  beautiful  flower  he  sees,  if  anybody  has 
ever  seen  it  before  him.  If  it  is  something  new,  and 
he  can  make  up  a  name  for  it,  and  immortalize  his  own 
in  a  dandelion  Smithii,  or  a  skunk-cabbage  Brown- 
iensis,  he's  in  raptures." 


196  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  You  are  severe  upon  the  scientific  men,  Captain,'' 
said  Butler,  laughing. 

"  Well,  all  those  things  may  be  right  enough,  but  I 
thank  God  I  an't  scientific.  I  don't  want  to  see 
everything  through  a  microscope,  or  enjoy  myself  by 
learned  systems.  These  things  must  be  done  by  some- 
body, I  suppose.  But  to  my  fancy,  it's  disgusting  and 
contemptible  to  measure  this  splendid  creation  by 
foot-rules,  or  weigh  it  in  scales." 

"Father,"  interrupted  William,  "  Mrs.  Sibley  wants 
us  in  to  breakfast.  I  see  the  towel  hung  out  at  the 
window." 

"  Well,  we'll  go  in  then,  Bill.  But  I  could  spend 
an  hour  here  to  my  perfect  satisfaction." 

They  then  returned  to  the  house.  William  Dee 
had  been  vainly  endeavoring  to  coax  his  curly  locks 
into  order  with  his  fingers.  But  after  many  attempts, 
he  found,  on  inspection  in  the  bit  of  broken  looking- 
glass  fastened  to  the  wall,  that  his  success  had  been 
very  indifferent.  So  he  decided,  after  some  hesita- 
tion, to  inquire  what  the  resources  of  the  house  could 
supply  to  meet  the  difficulty.  The  little  barefooted 
damsel  ransacked  in  vain  a  sort  of  flat  birchen  bas- 
ket that  hung  beneath  another  bit  of  mirror.  Her 
mother,  ascertaining  the  object  of  the  search,  thus 
accounted  for  the  absence  of  the  article :  — 

"La!  Mr.  William,  I'm  dreadful  sorry;  but  our 
comb  an't  to  home.  I  lent  it  to  Miss  Henchfield 
yesterday." 

William  made  no  reply  but  a  smiling  nod;  and 
thinking,  on  the  whole,  that  such  a  peripatetic  utensil 
might  as  well  be  done  without,  sat  down  to  his  break- 
fast as  he  was. 

During  the  meal,  Sibley  proposed  an  excursion  into 
the  woods  for  the  day. 


A   TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.         197 

"  You  an't  had  much  of  a  chance  yet ;  you'd  better 
stop  over  a  spell.  I  set  a  bear-trap  yesterday  for  an 
old  feller  that's  been  plaguin'  me  round  the  barn 
lately  ;  and  I  think  it's  full  likely  he's  catched  by  this 
time." 

"  What  do  you,  say  James?  "  said  Dee.  "  William 
and  I  have  nobody  to  think  of  but  ourselves.  I  don't 
believe  your  mother  will  be  troubled  at  our  stay.  She 
knows  that  a  man  can't  tell  just  when  he'll  get  back, 
when  he's  once  in  the  woods." 

"No,  I  don't  think  mother '11  fret.  I  should  like 
to  try  luck  a  little  further.  I've  shot  nothing  yet, 
but  those  ragamuffin  wolves." 

"  Then  we'll  go  with  Joe  and  Sam.  You'll  vote 
that  way,  I  know,  William.  Where's  your  trap, 
Joe?"  * 

"  Jest  under  old  Humpback.  I  baited  it  jest  as 
nice  as  I  knew  how.  I  guess  the  old  feller's  found 
it  out  by  this  time.  If  he's  meddled  with  it,  he's 
catched,  I'll  bet  a  dollar." 

The  party  consequently  took  their  guns  and  pro- 
ceeded through  the  clearing,  down  the  western  slope 
of  the  ridge,  towards  the  river.  Half  a  mile  of  walk- 
ing brought  them  to  the  little  valley  through  which 
ran  the  stream,  here  about  forty  or  fifty  yards  wide. 
The  descent  of  the  water,  in  this  hilly  region,  was 
rapid  and  continuous,  and  the  river  in  this  dry  season 
was  easily  fordable,  being  seldom  more  than  a  foot  in 
depth  ;  while  all  the  stones,  of  any  considerable  size, 
projected  above  or  very  near  the  surface.  Picking 
their  way  across  its  bed,  they  ascended  the  rounded 
bank  on  the  farther  side,  and  entered  the  forest. 

"  Now  let's  go  along  quiet,"  said  Joe.  "  If  the  old 
feller  an't  in  the  trap,  we  may  come  across  him  in  the 
woods." 


198  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  breeze  had  not  yet  risen  ;  and  not  a  sound  was 
to  be  heard,  except  now  and  then  a  wood-mouse  or 
squirrel  scampering  away  over  the  leaves,  or  a  wood- 
pecker hammering  at  a  hollow  tree.  It  was  necessary 
to  move  with  extreme  caution  and  slowly,  that  some 
unlucky  step  might  not  betray  their  approach,  by  the 
rustling  of  a  bush  or  the  rattling  of  a  fallen  branch. 
After  a  mile  or  more  of  this  silent  progress,  Joe  Sibley, 
who  led  the  way,  turned  and  said  in  a  low  voice,  — 

"  The  trap's  jest  over  this  hill,  right  down  in  the 
holler.  If  we  creep  up  behind  that  bunch  of  fir  bushes, 
we  can  see  it." 

Accordingly  the  party  moved  up  the  side  of  a  little 
rounded  hillock,  taking  care,  as  they  approached  the 
summit,  to  keep  themselves  behind  the  thicket.  Hav- 
ing all  reached  the  spot,  they  sat  down  upon  the  ground  ; 
while  Joe  carefully  peered  round  to  find  a  loop-hole 
through  which  he  could  see  beyond  their  leafy  screen. 
After  a  moment's  observation,  he  whispered, — 

"  He's  there,  but  I  can't  make  out  yet  what  kind  of 
fix  he's  in.  I  calculated  it  to  break  his  back  for  him  ; 
but  he's  alive,  for  I  see  him  move.  Come  here,  Butler, 
and  see  what  you  make  of  it." 

James  and  Sibley  now  contrived,  both  of  them,  to 
get  a  peep  through  the  tops  of  the  young  evergreens  ; 
Shirk  also  wriggled  himself  into  the  covert,  till  he 
could  obtain  a  glimpse  through  the  stiff,  interlaced 
boughs.  Their  joint  reconnoitring  soon  ascertained 
the  exact  position  of  things. 

Just  where  the  slope  of  the  hill  met  the  edges  of  a 
cedar  swamp,  three  large  white-pine  trees  grew  close 
together,  forming  an  irregular  triangle  ;  so  that  some 
stout  branches,  piled  up  and  intertwined  between  them, 
made  a  hollow  cell  of  three  or  four  feet  across,  the  two 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        199 

foremost  trees  forming  the  entrance  posts.  In  front 
of  these,  a  large  log  was  laid  upon  the  ground  trans- 
versely ;  and  above  it  another  heavy  stick  was  sus- 
pended at  one  end  in  the  air,  by  the  contrivance  called 
by  hunters,  from  its  shape,  a  figure  four.  Sibley  had 
then  chopped  several  trees  into  lengths  of  about  ten 
feet,  and  laid  them  up,  by  means  of  lateral  props,  into 
walls  upon  each  side  of  the  trap,  disposed  in  the  front 
of  the  recess,  and  covered  the  top  partially ;  so  that  the 
bait  upon  the  projecting  tongue  of  the  trap  could  be 
approached  only  from  the  front  of  the  barricade.  A 
pull  upon  the  bait  was  calculated  to  disturb  the  support 
of  the  sliding  log,  so  as  to  bring  it  down  upon  the  neck 
of  the  intermeddler.  It  appeared  that  Bruin  had  en- 
tered the  trap  and  attacked  the  bait.  But,  by  some 
chance,  the  falling  log  had  failed  to  break  his  neck,  and 
he  had  even  extricated  his  head  ;  but  one  fore-paw  was 
firmly  jammed  between  the  logs,  beyond  his  power  to 
extricate  it.  The  powerful  brute  had  thrown  down 
one  side  of  the  pen,  and  dislodged  the  sticks  that  covered 
it,  in  his  struggles  to  free  himself.  He  was  now  seen 
lying  down  on  the  ground,  from  which  he  half  rose  up, 
every  few  minutes,  endeavoring  to  pull  out  his  impris- 
oned foot,  and  growling  savagely  with  pain  and  impa- 
tience. 

"  He's  a  master  big  one,"  whispered  Sibley ;  "  if  he 
should  get  clear,  he'd  give  us  a  time.  He'll  try  his 
best  when  he  sees  us.  I'll  give  him  a  shot  before  we 
show  ourselves.  Keep  your  dog  still,  William.  That 
critter  '11  use  him  up  with  one  clip,  if  he  meddles  with 
him." 

Marquis,  having  learned  prudence  perhaps  in  his 
rencounter  with  the  wolves,  lay  down  quietly,  at  his 
master's  command.  But  the  chafing  of  his  excited 


200  SAM  SHIRK: 

spirit  was  vented  by  a  subdued  whine  as  he  looked  up 
submissive  to  the  uplifted  finger.  Whether  it  were  the 
dog's  whine,  or  the  click  of  Sibley's  rifle,  as  he  cocked 
and  aimed  it,  the  bear  now  evidently  suspected  the 
neighborhood  of  enemies.  Just  as  Joe  aimed  behind 
his  ear,  he  jerked  himself  upward  in  a  renewed  attempt 
at  escape.  The  ball,  grazing  some  inches  below  the 
vulnerable  spot  where  it  was  meant  to  strike,  cut  a 
flesh-wound  in  his  shoulder  and  throat,  which  served 
to  irritate  much  more  than  to  disable  him.  He  now 
made  gigantic  efforts  to  free  himself,  wallowing  and 
twisting  from  side  to  side,  while  the  pain  inflicted  by 
his  own  motions  upon  the  confined  limb  made  him 
groan  and  growl  furiously.  His  tongue  hung  out  from 
his  mouth  with  his  agony  and  exhaustion,  while  his 
gnashing  teeth  and  rolling  eyes  proclaimed  his  rage 
and  terror  most  fearfully.  His  exertions  grew  to  be  so 
violent,  that  Sibley,  throwing  aside  all  idea  of  further 
concealment,  shouted  aloud,  "  Let  him  have  it,  Butler, 
right  behind  his  ear,  if  you  can." 

Butler  instantly  fired ;  but  such  were  the  fierce  con- 
tortions and  struggles  of  the  desperate  animal,  that  he 
was  hardly  more  successful.  The  bear  dropped  his 
head  and  rounded  up  his  back  as  the  gun  flashed,  and 
the  ball  lodging  against  his  ribs,  instead  of  reaching  the 
more  vital  part,  only  added  afresh  to  his  rage  and  ter- 
ror. He  seized  the  log  that  lay  across  his  foot  furi- 
ously with  his  teeth,  and  succeeded  in  raising  it,  for  an 
instant,  so  that  a  simultaneous  jerk  effected  the  re- 
lease of  his  paw,  though  broken  at  the  ankle  and  sorely 
bruised.  After  licking  -once  or  twice  his  mangled 
limb,  he  turned  his  head  over  his  shoulder,  to  gaze  a 
moment  at  his  assailants,  who  had  now  risen  into  full 
view  from  behind  the  bushes.  Then  he  backed  out  of 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        201 

the  half-ruined  trap  with  a  loud  growl,  and  dashed  up 
the  hill  at  them,  with  all  the  speed  his  disabled  state 
allowed. 

"  Take  behind  the  trees !  "  shouted  Joe,  and  at  his 
suggestion,  each  stepped,  for  cover,  to  the  nearest 
trunk.  But,  by  this  time,  the  furious  beast  had  reached 
the  broAv  of  the  hillock  and  pushed  through  the  low 
girdle  of  fir  trees.  All  had  found  shelter  when  he 
appeared  among  them,  except  Captain  Dee,  who,  less 
active  than  his  younger  companions,  unfortunately 
caught  his  foot,  and  fell  prostrate,  directly  in  the  path 
of  the  animal,  and  not  a  rod  from  him.  His  danger 
was  imminent.  The  enormous  brute  rushed,  with 
glaring  eyes  and  gnashing  teeth,  directly  upon  him. 
But  Marquis  saw  him  fall,  and  sprang,  with  one  ring- 
ing bark  and  a  volley  of  growls,  to  his  head,  where  he 
stood,  with  tail  erect  and  bristling  back,  in  defense  of 
his  helpless  patron.  Regardless  of  such  puny  opposi- 
tion, the  bear  never  checked  his  career  for  a  moment, 
but  raised  his  paw  to  sweep  his  little  antagonist  from 
before  him.  The  gallant  dog's  fate  would  have  been 
sealed  in  an  instant,  but  this  manoeuvre  compelled 
Bruin  to  throw  his  weight  upon  the  wounded  limb, 
which,  failing  under  him,  brought  him  to  his  knees. 
Butler  and  William  Dee  rushed  to  the  rescue,  and 
planted  themselves  by  Marquis's  side,  who  now  sprang 
upon  the  enemy,  and  seized  him  by  the  ear.  James's 
rifle  had  been  discharged,  and  William  was  too  agitated 
to  fire,  but  both  stood  with  their  guns  raised  for  a  blow. 
The  brute  rose  again  to  his  feet,  and  shook  off  the  dog 
like  a  fly,  jerking  him  several  yards  from  him.  But 
meanwhile  Sam  Shirk  fired  his  ball  into  his  nearest 
flank,  and  Joe  Sibley  advanced  with  leveled  gun  upon 
the  other  side.  The  Captain  scrambled  up  and  escaped 


202  SAM  SHIRK: 

from  his  dangerous  situation ;  while  his  dreadful  as- 
sailant, confused  by  the  attack  from  so  many  quarters, 
turned  partially  upon  the  last  comer,  and  finally  raised 
himself  upon  his  hind  legs,  after  the  fashion  of  his  kind, 
to  grapple  with  the  first  who  should  come  within  his 
reach.  But  Joe's  sharp  eye  was  ranging  along  his  rifle, 
in  a  straight  line  with  the  opening  of  the  ear  turned 
towards  him  by  the  last  evolution.  The  flame  blazed 
from  the  muzzle  almost  into  the  eyes  of  the  victim,  and 
the  ball  crashed  into  his  brain.  Falling  heavily  to  the 
ground,  he  died  without  a  sound  or  a  motion.  Mar- 
quis laid  down  about  a  yard  from  his  muzzle,  as  if  fear- 
ful that  the  terrible  foe  might  yet  rouse  again  to  the 
assault ;  nor  did  he  cease  to  growl  till  Sibley  and  Shirk 
laid  their  hands  on  the  unresisting  carcass.  He  then 
ventured  up  to  smell  and  examine  more  critically  his 
dreaded  opponent. 

"  An't  he  a  buster  ?  "  cried  Shirk.  "  Shall  I  skin 
him,  Joe  ?  " 

"  Certainly  ;  his  hair  is  in  excellent  order,  and  his 
hide  has  but  three  bullet-holes  in  it.  We  might  have 
riddled  him  like  a  sieve,  though,  if  we  hadn't  touched 
him  in  the  right  place.  I've  known  an  old  chap  like 
him  carry  off  more  than  twenty  balls.  They're  tough 
as  a  pine  knot." 

"  He  will  weigh  seven  or  eight  hundred,  won't  he  ?  " 
said  Dee.  "  I  have  Heaven  and  Marquis  to  thank,  that 
he  didn't  finish  me.  Come  here,  boy, —  you're  true  as 
steel,  an't  you  ?  " 

Marquis  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  results  by  all 
canine  demonstrations  of  joy,  while  William  stood 
by,  silent,  but  with  his  eyes  filled  with  tears. 

"  Pooh,  Bill, —  mustn't  be  a  baby.  Nobody  can  say 
you  didn't  do  a  man's  duty  just  now,  anyhow.  God 
be  thanked  !  my  son, —  all's  right  yet." 


A   TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       2U3 

Sam  was  meanwhile  proceeding  rapidly  with  his  job 
of  "  taking  off  the  bear's  jacket,"  as  he  quaintly 
termed  it,  while  the  rest  stood  by,  looking  with  inter- 
est at  its  huge  and  sinewy  frame. 

u  Yes, —  eight  hundred,  at  least,  he  weighs,"  said 
Butler. 

"Full  better  than  that,"  added  Sibley.  "  He's  fat 
as  a  hocj.  I  will  fetch  the  horse  out  and  take  the  car- 

O 

cass  in.  I  think  a  bear-steak's  prime,  myself.  Be- 
sides, he'll  make  oil  enough  for  me  to  burn  all  win- 
ter." 

"  All  o'  that,  I'll  guarantee,"  responded  Shirk. 
"  I  hain't  skun  a  fatter  one  this  ten  year.  Here, 
Marquis,  take  this  chunk  o'  meat  for  your  luncheon. 
Ye're  prime  stuff, —  what  there  is  of  ye.  old  feller. 
I  expected  this  chap  would  have  laid  you  out  straight 
enough ;  and  so  he  would,  if  it  hadn't  been  for  this 
broken  flipper.  Now  I  think  we'd  better  turn  to  and 
take  a  smoke." 

Sam's  proposition  suited  the  mood  of  the  party  well, 
after  their  excitement  and  fright.  Captain  Dee  pro- 
duced his  tobacco-pouch  and  pipe,  and,  looking  at 
Marquis  as  he  wagged  his  tail  over  his  plentiful  repast, 
said  to  his  son,  whose  eyes  had  again  filled  with  tears 
at  Sam's  allusion  to  the  narrow  escape  of  his  father : 
"  You  and  I  will  remember  Marquis's  good  service, 
and  not  forget  what  is  due  in  a  higher  quarter,  either. 
I  didn't  admire  that  old  devil's  physiognomy,  so  near 
to  mine,  Joe.  Those  gentry  are  decidedly  better 
looking,  farther  off." 

"  Well,  I  thought  so,  when  I  sot  in  the  tree  look- 
ing at  that  old  she-one  I  told  you  of  last  night,  Cap- 
tain." 


204  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

AFTER  half  an  hour  spent  in  quiet  chat,  Sibley  rose 
to  go  for  his  horse. 

"  Butler,  you  ha'n't  shot  nary  deer  yet.  Now, 
d'ye  see,  if  you'll  jest  go  down  to  the  little  pond  yon- 
der, I'll  bet  you'll  get  a  chance.  It's  growin'  warm, 
and  they'll  be  wadin'  into  the  water  about  noon.  Sam, 
suppose  you  finish  dressing  that  bear  ?  I'll  be  back  in 
an  hour  at  furderest ;  and  you  may  put  his  hide  along 
o'  your  wolf-skins,  if  you'll  stay  and  keep  the  wolves 
off  till  I  come.  The  rest  on  'em  will  have  time  to  kill 
a  deer  too  ;  and  then  we'll  all  go  back  and  get  some 
dinner." 

This  plan  suited  all  parties.  Sam  resumed  his 
butchering  operations, —  with  Marquis,  whom  his 
young  master  had  bidden  to  stay  behind  also,  extended 
at  length  upon  the  ground,  watching  his  proceedings. 
The  deer-stalkers  were  fearful  that  his  over-eager  zeal 
might  spoil  their  sport  at  the  pond.  The  Dees  and 
Butler  walked  quietly  down  through  the  woods,  till 
the  broader  glimpse  of  sky  and  fuller  light  warned 
them  that  they  were  on  the  borders  of  the  little  lake. 
They  then  crept  along  with  extreme  caution,  till  they 
halted  at  last  behind  a  thick  clump  of  young  cedars 
on  its  margin.  Here  all  three  seated  themselves, 
where  they  could  watch  the  shores  through  the  open- 
ings. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         205 

The  sunshine  glittered  upon  the  placid  bosom  of  the 
water,  so  thoroughly  protected  from  the  light  breeze 
by  the  girdle  of  tall  woods  and  the  hills  that  encircled 
it,  that  not  a  ripple  broke  its  bright  mirror.  The  clear 
autumnal  sky  and  the  light,  fleecy  clouds  that  floated 
above  were  reflected  with  glowing  accuracy  upon  its 
surface.  The  deep  shadows  of  the  southern  shores 
and  the  broken  lights  of  the  opposite  banks,  where  the 
sunlight  penetrated,  here  and  there,  the  dark,  eternal 
gloom  of  the  forest  with  its  golden  gleams,  composed 
a  picture  of  matchless  splendor  and  yet  magic  softness. 
Alders  and  white  cedars  fringed  the  pebbled  shore,  and 
cast  cool,  green  shadows  over  the  sparkling  waters. 
Tall  pines  and  spruces  crowned  the  more  elevated 
banks  ;  and  clumps  of  firs  relieved,  at  intervals,  the 
foreground  of  brown  trunks,  with  their  deep  green 
foliage.  As  the  ground  behind  rose  in  swelling  ridges, 
gradually  growing  into  hills,  the  lighter  and  more 
graceful  forms  of  hard-wood  trees  interwove  themselves 
with  the  pillared  grandeur  of  the  pines,'  till  all  indi- 
viduality was  lost  in  an  impervious  ocean  of  verdure, 
repeating  high  up  in  air  the  undulating  outlines  of  the 
ground  with  its  canopy  of  leaves, —  as  unbroken  and 
continuous  apparently  as  the  earth  itself. 

Upon  the  right  and  somewhat  in  advance  of  the  spot 
where  the  party  lay  in  ambush,  a  deep  cove  circled  into 
the  woods  ;  into  the  head  of  which,  a  little  brook  dis- 
charged the  waters  that  it  gathered  along  the  skirts  of 
the  mountain  and  the  contiguous  hills.  A  colony  of 
beavers  had  dammed  the  mouth  of  the  cove,  taught 
by  their  curious  instinct  to  form  a  safe  and  commodious 
basin  for  the  erection  of  their  island  fortresses.  But 
the  sagacious  and  timid  animals  had  retired  —  as  is 
their  wont  —  from  the  first  intrusion  of  man  for  some 


206  SAM  SHIRK: 

more  distant  spot,  yet  free  from  disturbance  and  dan- 
ger. The  brook  had  gradually  undermined  the  centre 
of  the  structure  thus  left  to  the  mercy  of  the  elements 
by  its  little  architects  ;  and  its  disjointed  wall,  though 
still  traceable  here  and  there  across  the  mouth  of  the 
inlet,  no  longer  delayed  the  waters  from  their  natural 
level.  The  subsidence  of  the  artificial  inundation  laid 
bare  again  the  little  intervales  which  the  earthy  depos- 
its of  the  stream  for  ages  had  been  forming  about  its 
mouth  ;  and  they  were  already  covered  with  a  growth 
of  alders  and  young  cedars,  interspersed,  now  and 
then,  with  an  elm  raising  gracefully  its  feathery  head 
among  the  heavier  and  sharper  outlines  of  the  ever- 
greens. The  wings  of  the  beaver-dam  still  bordered 
the  outer  edges  of  the  flats  on  either  side,  with  a  little 
mound,  like  the  wasted  parapet  of  some  aboriginal  en- 
trenchment. The  shores  of  the  lake  beyond  swept 
away  in  easy  curves,  but  jutting  out  occasionally  into 
sharp  points,  where  some  knoll,  clad  with  tall  pines, 
threw  its  rounded  base  out  into  the  water ;  or  where 
a  line  of  boulders,  detached  from  a  neighboring  cliff, 
projected  from  the  shallow  shore  and  raised  their  dark 
gray  shapes,  in  heavy  shadow,  among  the  slender  weeds 
and  light-sprayed  bushes  that  grew  upon  the  rich  allu- 
vium collected  around  them. 

The  sportsmen  sat  quietly  in  their  covert,  and  care- 
fully watched  the  edges  of  the  forest  and  the  quiet  banks, 
through  their  leafy  screen.  For  some  time  all  was 
still,  as  if  no  living  thing  existed  within  the  range  of 
sight  or  sound.  The  fresh  northerly  breeze  had  died 
out ;  and  not  a  whisper  disturbed  the  death-like  repose 
of  the  scene,  upon  which  the  warm  sunshine  slept,  as 
upon  a  beautiful,  painted  picture.  Now  and  then  the 
tops  of  the  tallest  trees  just  quivered  with  a  passing 


A    TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        207 

breath  of  air ;  but,  in  the  deep  bosom  of  the  woods, 
all  was  as  motionless  as  if  the  rich  and  lovely  land- 
scape had  just  grown  up  under  the  hand  of  the  Crea- 
tor, and  stood  awaiting  in  virgin  silence  the  coming  of 
its  animal  and  elemental  life. 

But,  presently,  Butler's  watchful  eye  caught  a  slight 
motion  among  the  tops  of  a  thicket  of  alders,  that 
fringed  the  water  edge  of  a  little  glade  opening  upon 
the  shore  some  distance  above  them.  A  large  deer 
stepped  out  of  the  bushes,  and  paused  to  cast  a  long 
•  and  careful  look  in  eveiy  direction.  Nothing  appear- 
ing to  excite  his  suspicions,  the  timid  animal  drank  co- 
piously from  the  water,  and,  after  another  prolonged 
survey  of  the  neighborhood,  waded  into  the  lake,  till  the 
water  clo'sed  over  his  back,  leaving  only  his  head  and 
neck  visible.  There  he  stood  motionless,  except  now 
and  then  bending  to  crop  a  lily-pad  or  play  with  his 
muzzle  in  the  cooling  stream.  But  a  near  observer 
might  have  seen  his  dark  hazel  eyes  rolling  in  con- 
stant watchfulness,  his  ears  vibrating  to  the  slightest 
sound,  and  his  broad  nostrils  snuffing  the  gale,  to  catch 
the  smallest  contamination  of  the  air. 

Butler  now  drew  back  into  the  thicket,  and  said  in 
a  whisper  to  his  younger  companion,  "  I  must  have 
a  chance  at  that  buck,  unless  your  father  wants  to  try 
his  hand.  It's  not  your  turn  now,  Will." 

"I  sha'n't  make  any  claim,  James,"  replied  the 
Captain,  in  the  same  cautious  tone.  "  I  am  very  com- 
fortable with  my  back  against  this  tree,  and  will  leave 
the  deer  to  you." 

"  Well,  but  please  lend  me  your  red  bandanna 
handkerchief  for  a  few  minutes."  The  Captain  im- 
mediately complied  with  the  request,  without  a  word, 
for  he  understood  very  well  the  purpose  of  it.  Wil- 


208  SAM  SHIRK. 

liam  also  drew  his  ramrod  from  his  gun,  and  handed  it 
to  Butler,  who  attached  one  side  of  it  by  the  corners 
to  the  stick,  like  a  little  flag.  Passing  it  back  to  Wil- 
liam, he  said,  as  he  turned  to  go,  "  Now,  Bill,  I  shall 
try  to  get  down  to  the  beaver-dam  across  the  brook. 
It  will  be  a  long  shot,  but  I  think  I  can  bring  him 
down  from  there.  If  he  should  get  startled,  you  know 
how  to  use  the  flag." 

Young  Dee  nodded  assent ;  and  Butler,  withdraw- 
ing under  the  cover  of  the  deep  woods,  crept  guard- 
edly to  the  point  he  had  indicated,  and  was  immedi- 
ately lost  to  sight  among  the  trees.  William  again 
posted  himself  where  he  could  observe  the  yet  unsus- 
pecting object  of  attack.  The  deer  still  remained 
quiet.  But  after  a  few  minutes,  whether  tired  of  his 
luxurious  cold  bath  or  warned  by  his  acute  senses  of 
some  questionable  appearances,  he  turned  and  waded 
towards  the  shore.  Now  was  the  time  to  put  to  its 
use  the  little  flag  that  Butler's  caution  had  provided. 
Concealing  his  person  carefully  behind  the  dense  foli- 
age, William  raised  the  rod  as  high  as  he  could  reach, 
and  waved  it  gently  in  the  air,  where  the  breaks  in 
the  boughs  permitted  it  to  be  seen  from  the  lake.  Its 
bright  hue  and  fluttering  motion  attracted  directly  the 
attention  of  the  wary  creature ;  and  he  turned  to  gaze 
upon  it,  with  the  earnest  curiosity  displayed  by  these 
animals  for  any  extraordinary  and  mysterious  sight. 
The  poor,  deluded  victim  paused  a  moment,  to  look 
and  wonder ;  then  resumed  once  more  his  way  to  the 
land.  But,  at  the  edge  of  the  bushes,  he  stopped  again 
to  take  another  long  look  at  the  strange  and  brilliant 
object.  That  delay  was  fatal  to  him.  A  thin  puff  of 
smoke  burst  from  the  bushes,  at  the  edge  of  the  beaver- 
dam  ;  and  a  rifle-ball  set  the  speculations  of  his  bewil- 
dered brain  at  rest  forever. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         209 

Young  Dee,  throwing  down  the  gaudy  and  fatal 
instrument  of  delusion,  hastened  to  join  his  friend  ; 
and  the  two  dragged  the  body  of  the  animal  into  the 
thicket  where  they  had  kept  their  watch,  just  as 
Shirk,  who  had  heard  the  shot,  entered  it,  attended  by 
Marquis,  from  the  other  side. 

"  Been  making  more  work  for  my  knife,  James  ? 
I  knowed  your  rifle  didn't  often  go  off  for  nothin'. 
That's  a  handsome  buck  ;  two  prongs  to  his  antlers, 
three  year  old,  and  fat  as  butter.  Joe's  jest  got  out 
yonder  with  his  sled.  I'll  clean  this  feller  up  in  a 
minute  or  two,  and  he  can  have  a  ride  along  o'  the 
bear.  But  I  s'pose  he'd  like  to  be  properly  dressed 
first.''  So  Sam,  laughing  at  his  own  wit,  took  charge 
of  the  new  prize. 

The  deer  was  soon  put  into  what  Shirk  considered 
proper  travelling  trim ;  and  the  whole  party  retraced 
their  steps  to  the  spot  where  Sibley,  with  his  bear, 
awaited  them. 

"  A  nice  buck,"  said  Joe,  casting  his  practiced  eye 
upon  the  last  accession  to  their  spoils.  "  Not  a  bad 
mornin's  work ;  and  now,  by  the  time  we  get  back, 
dinner'll  be  ready  for  us." 

Here  Captain  Dee  interposed,  "  Much  obliged  to 
you,  Joe  ;  but  it  will  take  us  three  or  four  miles  out  of 
our  way,  if  we  are  going  down  river  to  night.  I  think 
we  had  better  keep  straight  on.  What  with  the  exer- 
cise this  confounded  bear  of  yours  has  given  me,  I 
think  a  twenty-mile  tramp  at  the  end  of  it  will  be 
enough  for  my  old  bones." 

"  Now  you,"  replied    Sibley,  "  Liddy  '11  be    disap- 
pinted  ;  she's  been  fussin'  all  the  mornin'.     And,  if 
yer  tired,  stay  over  night,  and  go  down  to-morrow." 
14 


210  SAM  SHIRK. 

"  I  think  we  must  start  to-day,  Joe :  what  do  you 
say,  James  ?  " 

"  I  can't  stop  longer  than  to-day  this  time,  Joe. 
So,  if  Captain  Dee  doesn't  feel  like  tacking  four  miles 
onto  our  walk,  and  I  think  it  were  better  not,  we  must 
head  for  home.  We  have  crackers  and  cheese  enough 
for  a  lunch  in  our  pockets ;  and  Sam  can  cut  a  steak 
from  either  of  these  animals  to  take  along,  if  he 
chooses." 

"  Well,  if  you  won't,  I've  no  more  to  say.  But  it's 
rather  mean  to  be  within  two  miles  of  a  man's  house, 
and  go  away  without  your  dinners." 

"  It  is  rather  shabby  after  the  trouble  your  wife's 
been  at.  We  should  have  thought  of  it  before  we 
started.  But  you  must  make  our  peace  with  her. 
By  the  way,  I  promised  my  mother  a  haunch  of 
venison ;  and  I  must  have  one  of  that  fellow's  hind 
legs.  You  keep  the  rest." 

"  You  an't  goin'  to  lug  a  quarter  of  that  buck 
twenty  miles,  are  you  ?  I  wouldn't  if  I  didn't  have  a 
dinner  for  a  month.  I've  been  thinkin'  of  goin'  down 
to  the  Falls  some  days.  Let  the  deer  be ;  and  I'll 
throw  a  haunch  over  my  horse,  and  bring  it  down  to 
you  to-morrow." 

"  That  will  be  capital,  Joe.  Bring  it  down  with 
you,  if  you  will ;  and  try  a  bit  of  it  with  us." 

The  four  travellers  then  shook  hands  with  the  hos- 
pitable backwoodsman,  and  the  parties  separated  for 
their  several  destinations,  Shirk  taking  up,  as  they 
passed,  his  package  of  skins,  which  he  had  brought 
along  and  deposited  in  the  crotch  of  a  tree,  with  the 
provident  purpose  of  alleviating  the  burden  of  their 
transportation,  by  dividing  it  into  two  stages.  Butler 
and  William  Dee  also  lightened  his  heavy  load  by 
each  rolling  up  a  couple  of  them  under  his  own  arm. 


A  TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        211 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

As  the  party  bound  towards  the  sea-coast  set  them- 
selves in  motion  homeward,  a  change  in  the  atmos- 
phere began  to  make  itself  apparent.  The  clear,  cool 
northerly  breeze  that,  playing  among  the  tree-tops, 
was  felt  in  the  bosom  of  the  wood  in  a  bracing  and  in- 
vigorating freshness,  had  died  away,  and  was  succeeded 
by  a  dead  calm,  attended  with  the  languid  softness  that 
precedes  a  wind  from  the  warmer  regions. 

Shirk,  trudging  along  under  his  pack  of  wolf-skins, 
soon  felt  its  enervating  influence  upon  his  muscles. 
Even  Marquis,  whose  yet  unsatisfied  speculations  upon 
the  hairy  spoils  of  his  late  enemies  had  all  along  pro- 
voked him,  from  time  to  time,  to  worry  up  over  Sam's 
heels  to  take  a  sniff,  contented  himself  with  trotting 
quietly  by  the  side  of  his  master. 

*'  The  wind's  comin'  round  to  the  south'ard  right 
away,"  observed  Sam,  wiping  his  perspiring  fore- 
head with  his  sleeve. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Captain  Dee,  "  I  saw  that  long 
ago.  I  can  smell  a  sea-wind  as  far  as  a  crow  can 
scent  a  dead  horse.  It  seems  to  me,  I  can  smell 
smoke  in  the  air  too.  Is  anybody  making  a  burn 
down  below  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  see  any  smoke  as  we  came  up,"  an- 
swered Butler.  "  And  I  should  not  think  anybody 
would  set  a  fire  in  a  dry  time  like  this." 


212  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  Nobody  would,  that  had  any  gumption,"  added 
Shirk.  "  But  Dave  Doolittle  chopped  down  a  piece 
this  summer,  on  his  clearing  ;  and  jest  as  like  as  not, 
he's  fired  it  now.  He  allers  does  things  jest  when 
he  don't  ought  to.  He  hardly  knows  anuf  to  go  to 
sleep  o'  nights." 

"  Sam,  just  slip  off  your  pack,  and  let  Marquis  ex- 
amine it  at  his  leisure,  while  you  climb  this  tsill  spruce. 
You  can  see  from  that  a  long  distance." 

In  obedience  to  Butler's  suggestion,  Shirk  threw  off 
his  burden  and  his  jacket  too,  and  after  a  hard  strug- 
gle, for  some  thirty  feet,  up  the  straight  trunk  of  the 
tree,  soon  climbed  from  branch  to  branch,  till  he  could 
see  over  the  general  surface  of  the  forest.  After  a 
moment's  survey,  he  shouted  down  to  his  companions, 
as  a  man  upon  a  house-top  might  report  to  his  fellows 
in  the  street  of  a  close-built  city  :  — 

"  It's  jest  as  I  thought,  I'll  bet  a  dollar.  I  can 
see  Dave's  clearing  plain  anuf;  and  right  beyond  it, 
where  his  choppin'  lays,  there's  a  tarnal  big  smoke. 
It's  no  fool  of  a  fire,  I'll  be  bound.  It's  blowin'  right 
onto  him  ;  and  he'll  burn  hisself  up,  as  sure  as  can  be. 
What  a  consarned  fool  he  is !  He  don't  know  so  much 
as  a  yaller  dog." 

"  He  is  a  terrible  blockhead  ;  and  if  he  has  put  the 
fire  into  his  cut-down  now,  he'll  stand  a  chance  to 
burn  up  all  he's  got  in  the  world.  Can't  we  reach 
there  in  time  to  help  him,  Sam?  There's  nobody 
within  ten  miles  of  his  house." 

"  Yes,  I  think  we  could,  —  'tan't  more  than  four 
mile.  But  the  fire  will  go  like  lightnin',  if  it  gets  well 
under  way.  The  smoke  grows  wuss  every  minute." 

"  Jump  down,  then,  as  quick  as  you  can,"  inter- 
posed Captain  Dee ;  "  we'll  crowd  all  sail  and  get 
there  as  soon  as  possible." 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        213 

Shirk  speedily  descended  from  his  airy  perch,  and 
resumed  his  jacket  and  his  wolf-skins.  As  soon  as  he 
was  ready  to  proceed,  they  all  struck  off  at  an  angle 
from  their  former  course,  at  a  pace  as  rapid  as  they 
could  sustain.  By  the  time  they  had  advanced  two 
miles,  the  woods  became  full  of  a  dense  and  choking 
smoke,  which  grew  more  oppressive  at  every  step. 
Soon  it  wrapped  the  forest  in  a  deep  shroud,  that  shut 
out  almost  entirely  the  light  of  the  sun,  which  ap- 
peared, as  occasionally  seen  through  the  trees,  like  a 
dull  and  lustreless  ball  of  copper.  Still  they  pushed 
steadily  on,  though  the  close  and  stifling  atmosphere 
made  breathing  laborious,  and  the  forced  exertion  drew 
the  perspiration  from  every  pore  of  their  skin.  The 
increasing  dimness,  that  fast  enveloped  them,  rendered 
it  no  easy  task  to  keep  their  course.  But  they  were 
all  familiar  with  like  emergencies ;  and  occasional 
glances  at  the  trees  sufficed  to  assure  their  path.  At 
the  end  of  an  hour,  they  struck  the  river,  nearly  oppo- 
site the  clearing  of  Doolittle  ;  and,  after  fording  its 
shallow  waters  over  a  raft  of  logs  stranded  upon  the 
rocks,  crossed  a  corner  of  the  rough  field  studded  over 
with  black  stumps  and  strewn  with  remnants  of  burnt 
trees,  and  stood,  at  last,  before  the  door  of  the  propri- 
etor. 

Thankless  mortals  seldom  appreciate  their  own  good 
fortune,  except  by  comparison  with  the  lack  of  the  ad- 
vantages that  they  enjoy  thoughtlessly,  for  the  very 
reason  of  their  constancy  and  certainty.  The  spoilt 
child  of  civilization  seldom  troubles  himself  to  think 
how  the  path  has  been  smoothed  before  him  by  labors 
of  which  he  has  taken  no  heed.  If  he  walks  or  drives, 
there  is  the  road,  levelled  by  the  toil  of  a  thousand 
arms,  hard  trodden  by  the  steps  of  myriad  feet.  He 


214  SAM  SHIRK: 

looks  out  upon  landscapes  where  generations  have  ex- 
pended their  taste  and  industry ;  he  revels  on  delicious 
fruits  planted  by  hands  long  ago  dust.  The  spicy  lux- 
uries of  the  East  and  the  products  of  Western  seas, 
the  orange  of  the  tropics  and  the  fur  of  the  Arctic  cir- 
cle, are  common  in  his  home,  though  it  may  be  a  hum- 
ble one,  —  or  may  be  had  in  a  few  minutes  out  of  the 
vast  stores  of  commerce  and  ingenious  toil.  His  every 
want,  his  idlest  whim,  may  be  speedily  gratified,  if  it 
falls  short  of  a  rhinoceros  or  an  anaconda,  or  modestly 
asks  something  less  than  the  Kohinoor. 

But  very  different  is  it  in  the  rude  life  of  the  pio- 
neer. He  goes  far  away  from  all  this  wealth  of  com- 
fort and  contrivance,  to  engage  in  that  primeval  strug- 
gle with  Nature  that  has  been  the  task  of  man  from 
the  beginning.  Without  the  machinery  and  number- 
less devices  by  which  invention  has  provided  for  every 
want,  —  which  he  generally  can  neither  purchase,  nor 
carry  with  him  if  he  could  purchase  them,  —  he  goes 
into  the  contest  single-handed,  and  with  hardly  more 
artificial  resources  than  his  barbarian  ancestors  in  the 
German  forests.  Inch  by  inch,  and  blow  by  blow,  he 
must  work  his  way  by  main  force,  and,  in  the  midst 
of  privations  both  great  and  small,  defend  himself 
and  those  he  loves  from  hunger  and  cold,  and  win  from 
the  reluctant  wilderness  the  reward  of  unremitting 

O 

labor.  To  a  man  less  resolute  and  sinewy,  his  task 
wrould  be  a  hopeless  impossibility.  He  must  often  trav- 
erse miles  of  forest-path  for  a  handful  of  nails  or  a 
pound  of  tea,  if,  indeed,  in  his  isolation,  he  can  com- 
mand the  means  to  buy  them.  He  must  sometimes 
carry  on  his  back,  over  miles  of  rugged  road,  board  by 
board,  the  materials  to  finish  his  log-hut.  But,  in  all 
these  severe  toils,  there  is  the  sure  hope  of  ultimate 


A   TALE   OF   TEE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        215 

success.  For,  in  his  poverty  of  appliances,  he  carries 
with  him  the  persevering  confidence,  if  he  lacks  the 
resources  of  civilization  ;  and  he  has  at  least  the  axe 
and  the  plough,  —  the  two  great  instruments  of  prog- 
ress. 

But  David  Doolittle  was  an  unfavorable  specimen 
of  this  class  of  men,  in  some  respects.  Honest,  indus- 
trious, and  painstaking,  he  was  one  of  the  unfortunate 
individuals  who,  to  use  the  common  and  expressive 
phrase,  "  have  no  faculty."  He  did  not  know  how  to 
manage  matters  to  advantage  ;  or,  if  he  knew  how,  he 
never  did  it.  The  cart  was  always  before  the  horse, 
with  him.  There  was  always  something  too  much  or 
too  little,  too  soon  or  too  late.  It  was  easy  to  account 
for  much  of  his  difficulty  by  a  glance  at  his  premises. 
His  cart  and  tools  were  always  to  be  seen  laying  about 
exposed  to  the  weather  ;  and  frequently  more  time 
was  consumed  in  putting  them  in  order  for  use,  than 
in  doing  the  work  for  which  they  were  required.  No 
slough  in  his  daily  path  was  ever  filled  up,  no  stone 
taken  out  of  the  way,  no  obnoxious  stump  cut  out. 
So  David  and  his  team  and  family  blundered  on,  day 
after  day,  through  all  manner  of  obstacles,  which  half 
the  labor  employed  in  overcoming  them  might  have 
put  out  of  the  way  forever ;  and  a  vast  amount  of  irri- 
tation, vexation,  and  loss  daily  endured,  only  to  be  du- 
plicated on  the  next  and  every  other  day  of  their  lives. 
Unfortunately,  too,  the  wife  was  untidy  and  shiftless  as 
her  husband  ;  and  the  necessary  consequence  was,  that 
endless  trouble,  in  doors  and  out,  destroyed  alike  all 
comfort  for  the  present  and  all  hope  for  the  future ; 
and  a  sullen  and  cheerless  gloom  settled  over  the  de- 
spairing household. 

At  this  crisis  in  his  fortunes,  the   friendly  visitors 


216  SAM  SRIKK: 

found  David  standing  in  front  of  his  log-hut,  gazing 
mournfully  and  helplessly  at  the  black  volumes  of 
smoke  that  rolled  threateningly  up  in  one  enormous 
billowy  cloud,  from  behind  a  long  ridge  of  land,  whose 
crest,  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  yet  inter- 
cepted the  view  of  the  flames  that  were  raging  in  the 
forest  beyond. 

**  Why,  Dave  !  "  shouted  Shirk,  as,  coming  up  with 
Butler,  he  threw  down  his  bundle  of  wolf-skins. 
"  What  on  airth  are  you  gaping  at,  with  a  fire  like 
that  right  on  you  ?  " 

"  What  could  I  do  to  fight  sich  a  fire  as  that,  all 
alone  ?  "  replied  Doolittle  despondently. 

"To  be  sure  a  thousand  men  couldn't  stop  that 
blaze  now,  with  the  Narraguagus  to  back  'em.  But 
you  may  save  your  buildings,  perhaps,  David,  if  you 
bestir  yourself,  and  we've  made  a  hard  march  to 
come  to  your  help,"  said  Butler. 

"  And  what  shall  I  do  ?  In  half  an  hour  'twill  be 
rainin'  sparks  and  cinders  like  a  snow-storm.  But 
thank  you  for  comin,' —  all  the  same." 

"  Well,  well.  Let's  try  and  do  what  we  can  ;  and 
Providence  must  take  care  of  the  rest.  Don't  give  up 
without  a  struggle  for  it.  Where  are  your  cattle  ?  " 

"  Out  in  the  field  yonder,  a  piece ;  but  you  can't 
see  'em,  no  more  than  if  'twas  midnight,  for  the 
smoke." 

"  Yoke  'em  up  ;  and  take  your  boy  here  and  a  chain, 
and  start  back  twenty  or  thirty  lengths  of  the  cedar 
fence  that  joins  the  corner  of  your  barn.  The  fire 
will  run  on  it  like  lightning.  Stick  to  that  till  it 
drives  you  off;  we'll  do  what  else  can  be  done  here." 

Inspirited  by  Butler's  energetic  tones,  the  poor  fel- 
low's sluggish  face  lighted  up  with  a  faint  show  of 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        217 

hope.  "  Thank  ye,  thank  ye,  God  bless  ye  !  "  he 
sobbed  out.  "  But  don't  let  the  little  ones  and  the 
woman  get  burnt  up  in  the  house.  She's  packin'  up 
things  inside.  Come,  Hiram,  and  bring  the  chain. 
It's  clown  alongside  the  wheels  there." 

Taking  the  yoke  upon  his  shoulders,  Doolittle  moved 
off  with  his  boy  ;  and  Butler  and  Sam  turned  to  hold 
counsel  with  the  Dees,  who  had  just  come  up, —  for 
the  Captain  was  sorely  out  of  wind,  and  leaned  heavily 
on  his  son's  arm. 

"Phew,  phew,"  sputtered  out  the  Captain.  "I'm 
fairly  blown,  and  hang  me  if  there's  a  breath  of  air 
fit  for  a  Christian  to  swallow.  It's  as  close  as  the 
devil's  back  parlor.  But  we  must  go  to  work  ;  and 
there's  no  time  to  lose.'' 

So  saying,  and  wiping  his  forehead  diligently,  he 
took  a  rapid  survey  of  the  premises,  as  well  as  the 
dense  smoke  allowed.  Doolittle's  architectural  efforts 
had  been  upon  the  simplest  and  meanest  scale  ;  but 
poor  as  the  results  were,  they  were  everything  to  him. 
A  small  and  low  log-house,  roofed  with  hemlock  bark, 
and  a  "  hovel,"  or  little  barn  of  the  same  rude  mate- 
rials and  workmanship,  partially  surrounded  by  a  cow- 
yard  and  buttressed  at  one  end  by  a  pig-sty,  composed 
all  the  accommodations  for  man  or  beast.  A  large 
cleared  field  interposed  between  the  buildings  and  the 
woodland  beyond,  in  which  the  conflagration  was  rag- 
ing. The  removal  of  the  fence  that  separated  the 
clearing  from  the  forest,  as  suggested  by  Butler,  in- 
sulated the  homestead  from  all  direct  communication 
with  the  combustible  material  around,  and  afforded  a 
faint  hope  of  saving  the  buildings  from  the  cinders, 
which  alone  could  communicate  the  fire.  The  chance, 
nevertheless,  was  at  best  a  very  doubtful  one.  A 


218  SAM  SHIRK: 

brisk  southwest  wind  was  now  blowing  full  upon  the 
roofs,  constructed  of  material  ignitable  to  the  highest 
degree,  and  dried  by  the  long  heats  of  summer  to  the 
utmost.  Scorching  currents  poured  over  them,  under 
the  intense  heat  of  which  the  last  vestiges  of  moisture 
oozed,  from  each  crack  and  cranny,  in  slender  wreaths 
of  steam. 

•  After  throwing  down  their  coats  and  guns,  the 
younger  men  set  about  their  precautionary  measures, 
while  Captain  Dee  went  to  superintend  proceedings 
within  the  house,  where  the  wife  of  Doolittle  was  hur- 
rying about,  as  much  stupefied  and  bewildered  as  her 
husband  had  been,  before  his  energies  were  cuffed  into 

*  O 

activity  by  the  friendly  remonstrances  of  his  newly  ar- 
rived assistants.  But  under  the  Captain's  brisk  orders, 
the  humble  household  wealth  was  soon  packed  up  for 
removal,  and  every  utensil  available  for  holding  water, 
from  the  milk-pitcher  to  the  wash-tubs  and  empty  pork- 
barrels,  was  mustered  at  the  door  and  filled  as  rapidly 
as  possible  from  the  neighboring  spring. 

Meanwhile  Butler,  William,  and  Shirk  wistfully 
surveyed  the  barn  ;  that,  being  many  rods  nearer  to 
the  edge  of  the  woods,  was  far  more  exposed  to  danger 
than  the  house,  which  fortunately  stood  nearly  in  the 
centre  of  the  field. 

"  William,"  said  Butler,  "  if  we  can  save  the  hovel 
here,  there  will  be  a  good  chance  for  the  house.  But 
if  this  catches,  it  is  all  over  with  both." 

"  That's  it,"  interposed  Shirk;  "  it's  jest  so,  James  ; 
but  what  in  time  are  we  goin'  to  do  ?  I'm  dead  beat 
where  to  begin.  I  don't  wonder  old  Dave  feels  down 
to  heel." 

"  We  must  try  to  cover  this  roof  somehow.  When 
the  fire  once  gets  this  side  of  the  hill,  it  will  be  hotter 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       219 

here  than  Tophet,  and  the  first  cinder  will  kindle  those 
cedar  splits  as  if  they  were  gunpowder." 

"  But  what  to  cover  it  with  ?  "  asked  William. 

"  Sure  enough,  Bill,  that's  the  pinch.  Dirt,  — 'twill 
take  too  long.  Ah  !  your  wolf-skins,  Sam.  Untie  your 
bundle  quick  as  winking.  I'm  in  hopes  they  may 
cover  the  windward  side  at  least." 

Sam  rushed  to  his  pack,  and,  untying  the  cord, 
jerked  out,  one  after  another,  a  dozen  or  more  shaggy 
pelts  ;  while,  as  tawny  muzzles,  legs,  and  bushy  tails 
once  more  assumed  partially  their  life  semblance,  poor 
Marquis,  half  frightened,  half  quarrelsome,  darted  to 
and  fro  round  them,  giving  a  hasty  snap  and  shake  to 
some  protruding  member,  then  hurriedly  retreating 
with  furious  barks  and  growls. 

"  Get  out  o'  that,  Mark ;  we've  got  something  be- 
sides play  on  hand,  old  feller.  Them  chaps  are  goin' 
to  do  some  good  now,  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives. 
James,  I'll  climb  up  yonder,  and  you  pass  'em  up 
while  I  spread  'em." 

Giving  a  gentle  box  on  the  ears  to  the  dog,  who  was 
persisting  in  his  skirmishes  with  the  lifeless  remains  of 
enemies  that  still  excited  his  canine  imagination  to  a 
wrathful  terror,  Sam  climbed  from  the  top  of  the  ox- 
wheels  upon  the  low  roof,  and  rapidly  laid  the  pelts 
smoothly  over  the  whole,  from  the  ridge-pole  down- 
ward. A  load  of  light  spruce  poles  fortunately  lay 
hard  by,  by  the  help  of  which,  with  the  aid  of  loose 
stones,  the  skins  were  snugly  secured.  That  side  was 
covered,  with  the  exception  of  one  corner,  over  which 
Sam  threw  his  woolen  frock. 

"  There,  James,  if  them  'ere  don't  stand  some  heat, 
then  I  can't  guess.  Them  green  skins  an't  got  a  mite 
o'  burn  to  'em.  But  now  about  t'other  side.  I  wish 


220  SAM  SHIRK: 

we  had  another  dozen  of  the  varmint's  hides  ;  but 
wishin'  won't  do  any  good." 

"  But  these  will,"  said  William  Dee,  staggering  out 
of  the  barn  under  an  overshadowing  pile  of  deer-skins 
and  a  large  ox-hide  trailing  behind  him.  I  found  these 
in  a  corner  of  the  hovel."  So  saving,  he  threw  his 
load  upon  the  ground,  producing  anew  an  intense  ex- 
citement in  the  nervous  system  of  Marquis,  who  ex- 
panded immediately  into  a  foray  upon  this  reinforce- 
ment of  hirsute  abominations. 

"  Good  on  your  head,  William  !  What  a  fool  I  was 
not  to  have  thought  o'  that!  Anybody  might  'a 
knowed  a  man  in  the  Avoods  would  have  a  pile  of  deer- 
skins in  his  barn,  unless  a  pedlar  had  jest  been  round. 
There's  the  old  ox's  hide  too,  that  the  bears  killed  for 
poor  Dave  last  spring  ;  blast  their  picturs  !  Pass  'em 
up,  pass  'em  up.  I'll  shingle  'em  on  in  less  than  no 
time." 

"  If  you'll  hand  them  up  to  Sam,  James,  I'll  go  for 
three  or  four  more  which  I  could  not  fetch.  Lay  them 
on  thick,  Sam,  there's  plenty,  and  more  too." 

In  a  few  minutes,  the  opposite  slope  of  the  roof  was 
closely  covered  with  this  opportune  supply  ;  and,  after 
careful  adjustment  of  all  loose  corners,  and  ballasting 
here  and  there  with  some  additional  stones,  Shirk 
jumped  down  to  the  ground,  his  job  completed  to  his 
perfect  satisfaction. 

"  There,  I  rather  guess  that's  the  fust  buildin'  was 
ever  shingled  with  skins,  in  'Guagus  valley,  anyhow. 
That'll  keep  the  fire  out  from  July  to  etarnity,  I'll 
guarantee.  It's  all-fired  hot  and  stiflin'  though,  to 
work  in.  But  here's  another  job  yet.  Jest  see  that 
hay-winder  in  the  gable,  gapin'  wide  open.  The  cin- 
ders'll  be  rushin'  in  there  shortly,  like  destruction. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       221 

That  tormented,  lazy  Dave's  never  made  a  shutter  for 
it,  though  it's  two  years  he's  had  this  hovel  built ;  no 
more  he  won't,  until  it's  rotted  down  agin." 

"  There's  the  ox-hide  yet.  If  we  can  find  a  hammer 
and  a  handful  of  nails,  we'll  fix  that  in  a  jiffy." 

"  I'll  have  'em  directly,  James.  I  saw  a  hammer 
and  some  shingle-nails  inside." 

The  ox-hide  was  soon  closely  tacked  up  over  the 
aperture,  and  the  trio  paused  from  their  arduous  labor 
to  wipe  their  brows  and  congratulate  themselves  on 
their  success  in  this  quarter.  Two  or  three  empty 
pork-barrels  were  then  rolled  out  from  the  barn,  and, 
with  the  help  of  Captain  Dee's  crew,  —  as  the  old  gen- 
tleman styled  the  forlorn  Mrs.  Doolittle  and  two  rag- 
ged, bareheaded,  and  barefooted  urchins,  —  they  were 
soon  filled  with  water  from  a  hollow  in  the  brook  hard 
by,  scooped  out  to  water  the  cattle  in.  Thus  all  was 
done  that  ingenuity  could  suggest  to  meet  the  impend- 
ing danger. 

"  How  have  you  got  along  at  the  house,  father  ?  " 

"  O,  all's  right  there,  William.  The  traps  are  all 
packed  up,  and  I  have  got  everything  filled  with  water 
but  the  hair-sieve  and  the  cullender,  and  stowed  all 
round  outside.  And  you've  done  a  good  job  with  the 
hovel  there  ;  first-rate  plan,  whosever  it  is.  It  puzzles 
Marquis,  and  I  don't  wonder  at  it.  Come  here,  dog  ! 
what  are  you  bobbing  up  and  down  at  those  tails  and 
legs  for  ?  You  can't  reach  'em,  and  they  won't 
trouble  you  any  more.  Well,  boys,  I  think  we  can 
stand  the  siege  now  with  some  chance ;  that  is,  if  we 
don't  get  choked  to  death.  Now  let's  wash  our  throats 
out ;  and  you  and  I,  Sam,  can  take  a  pipe,  before  the 
fire  gets  up  with  us." 

While  the  Captain  looked  up  his  canteen  and  dis- 


222  SAM  SHIRK: 

pensed  a  moderate  portion  of  its  refreshing  contents 
among  the  tired  and  heated  party,  Doolittle  came  in 
with  his  oxen  and  his  son,  and  reported  that  they  had 
hauled  off  all  the  fence  within  dangerous  contiguity. 
The  whole  now  seated  or  stretched  themselves  on  the 
ground  to  rest  and  watch  the  approach  of  their  terrible 
adversary. 

The  fire  had  now  reached  the  crest  of  the  ridge  in 
front  of  them  ;  and  occasional  flashes  began  to  be  seen 
through  the  veil  of  smoke,  which,  lighted  up  at  its 
lower  edge  by  a  dull  red  glare,  had  been  hitherto  the 
only  indication,  to  the  eye,  of  the  progress  of  the 
destructive  element.  A  rolling  wave  broke  along  over 
the  outlines  of  the  hills,  feeding  upon  the  fallen  leaves 
and  branches,  shrubs  and  other  scattered  materials 
upon  the  surface.  From  this  ground-line,  tongues  of 
flame  shot  curling  into  the  air,  borne  upward  by  the 
eddies  of  the  heated  atmosphere  and  carried  irresisti- 
bly forward  by  the  wind,  that  urged  on  its  devouring 
march.  Wrapping,  at  once,  in  its  red  mantle  the 
straggling  brushwood  and  undergrowth  of  young  sap- 
lings, it  darted  upon  the  lower  limbs  of  the  resinous 
trees,  and,  leaping  from  branch  to  branch,  turned  the 
tall  hemlocks,  spruces,  and  pines,  in  an  instant,  into 
pyramids  of  fire.  The  hard-wood  trees,  less  inflamma- 
ble, smoked  and  wilted  in  the  intense  heat,  till  the 
victorious  flames,  after  a  few  moments  of  delay,  swept 
their  red  banners  triumphant  over  the  crisped  foliage. 
The  jets  rushed  up  over  the  pitch-laden  spray  of  the 
evergreens,  with  a  crackle  like  the  spattering  hiss  of 
a  thousand  rockets  ;  and  the  heavy,  concentrated  mur- 
mur of  the  advancing  blaze  swelled  like  the  thunder- 
ing surges  of  a  stormy  sea.  Far  in  front  of  the  sweep- 
ing flames,  showers  of  sparks  and  cinders  filled  the  air ; 


A    TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        223 

and  kindled,  here  and  there,  little  conflagrations,  pre- 
paring the  way  for  the  furious  tide  of  destruction  that 
rao-ed  along  behind.  The  dense,  hot  smoke  and  ashes 

O  O 

flew  in  clouds  upon  the  van  of  the  terrible  onslaught ; 
and  the  bright  flashes,  seen  through  their  sombre  veil, 
acquired  a  lurid  and  concentrated  glow,  like  an  un- 
earthly pandemonium. 

The  position  of  the  occupants  of  Doolittle's  home- 
stead would  have  been  utterly  untenable  by  mortal 
endurance,  had  not  the  conflagration  slackened  and 
finally  died  out,  as  it  reached  the  back  line  of  the 
clearing,  for  want  of  further  food  in  that  direction. 

o7 

But  on  the  flanks  of  the  field  it  still  maintained  its 
progress,  spreading  wider  and  wider  as  it  rolled  along. 
Upon  the  quarter  where  they  sat  watching  the  barn, 
the  proximity  of  the  raging  element  and  the  direction 
of  the  wind  made  their  situation  almost  intolerable, 
notwithstanding  that  one  side  was  now  free  from 
annoyance.  The  cessation  of  the  fire  in  that  quar- 
ter, however,  together  with  the  decreasing  distance 
between  them  and  the  burning  timber,  rendered  the 
smoke  less  thick  and  oppressive ;  as  the  ascending 
currents,  created  by  the  intense  heat  and  the  upward 
rush  of  the  flames,  lifted  its  heavy  clouds  somewhat 
over  their  heads,  and  made  respiration  easier.  They 
maintained  their  guard  over  the  buildings  patiently, 
sheltering  themselves  from  the  blinding  storm  of  sparks 
and  ashes  by  fastening  their  handkerchiefs  over  their 
faces,  to  serve  as  veils.  With  this  help  they  were  able 
to  support  a  recumbent  position  upon  the  ground,  if 
not  with  comfort,  without  much  serious  suffering. 

"  I  should  think  this  'ere  the  handsomest  sight  I 
ever  see,"  said  Shirk,  "  if  'twas  only  a  little  farder 
off.  If  I  was  fatter,  I  should  expect  to  run  down  into 
my  boots,  like  taller  in  a  candle-mould." 


224  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  You  needn't  fear  melting,  Sam,"  chuckled  Cap- 
tain Dee,  "  There's  no  more  grease  in  your  anatomy 
than  in  an  old  baboon's.  You'd  dry  up  and  burn,  like 
the  leaves  out  yonder." 

"  Well,  Captain,  'tan't  no  great  of  a  choice  'twixt 
meltin'  and  fryin' ;  about  t'other  and  which,  I  reckon. 
It's  a  case  anyhow.  I  don't  think  I  shall  get  cool  again 
afore  the  next  snow-storm.  But  jest  look  at  old  Dave, 
Captain,"  added  Sam,  in  a  lower  voice ;  for,  though  his 
tone  indicated  contempt,  Shirk  was  too  kind-hearted 
to  wound  the  feelings  of  its  object.  "  He's  jest  like  a 
wet  rag.  If  we  hadn't  come  along,  he'd  a  sot  there 
and  let  everything  burn  up." 

Doolittle's  appearance  certainly  justified  the  criti- 
cism. He  was  seated  at  a  little  distance  on  the  end  of 
a  log,  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets  and  a  short  pipe  in 
his  mouth,  which,  however,  he  had  forgotten  to  fill, 
looking  uneasily  from  the  buildings  that  contained  his 
all  of  worldly  goods  to  the  destruction  that  threatened 
them,  with  a  look  of  wistful  helplessness  sadly  at  vari- 
ance with  the  emergency.  His  listless  gaze  was  like 
that  of  the  despondent  eye  of  the  sick  man,  expressive 
at  once  of  trouble,  and  of  deep  consciousness  of  lack  of 
strength  to  combat  it.  But  the  look  brightened  as  it 
rested  upon  the  more  energetic  friends  whom  his  good 
fortune  had  sent  to  his  aid,  as  if  capacity  of  action  was 
not  wanting,  if  it  were  only  called  out  and  directed  by 
external  support.  His  whole  garb  and  all  the  sur- 
roundings wore  the  same  shiftless  aspect ;  from  his  old, 
battered  hat  and  ragged  garments  to  the  wretched 
farming  tools  and  domestic  appliances  scattered  all 
about,  not  only  out  of  place  and  order,  but  with  an 
unmistakable  air  that  no  place  or  order  at  all  were 
among  the  conditions  of  their  existence. 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        225 

"  Yes,  Sam.  David  is  a  poor  manager,  that's  too 
clear.  But  a  man  out  here  in  the  woods,  without 
neighbors,  without  tools,  roads,  without  almost  every- 
thing in  fact,  but  his  hands,  has  a  hard  chance.  If  he 
hasn't  energy  to  get  the  better  of  difficulties,  they  can't 
but  get  the  better  of  him ;  and  he  grows  to  be  content 
with  poor,  miserable  make-shifts,  till  he  gives  up  in 
despair  everything  he  can  live  without.  If  he's  right 
smart,  he  makes  his  path  clear  and  smooth  at  last ;  if 
not,  he  worries  along  through  the  sloughs  and  stumps 
for  his  life-time."  .  • 

"  That's  jest  so,  Captain,"  rejoined  Shirk  earnestly. 
"  I  was  in  jest  sich  a  fix  once  myself,  and  made  up  my 
mind  pretty  often  that  'twas  easier  to  go  without  things 
than  to  get  'em.  And  I  shouldn't  a'  been  no  better 
than  a  beggar  now,  James,  if  your  mother  hadn't  gi'n 
me  a  lift.  God  bless  her !  and  He  will  that.  I  wish  I 
knew  how  to  do  as  much  good  to  somebody  as  she's 
done  for  me.  It's  a'most  too  much  to  think  of;  it 
plagues  me  a'most  as  bad  as  poor  David's  needcessities 
does  him.  I'd  die  forty  times  over,  sooner'n  put  your 
mother  out  once,  James.  And  you  an't  been  slow  to 
help  me  yourself  nuther  ;  nor  you  nuther,  Captain 
Dee,  nor  all  on  'em,  for  the  matter  o'  that." 

Here  poor  Sam's  grateful  recollections  choked  him, 
and  he  began  to  stammer.  Regaining  his  voice  and 
wiping  his  tell-tale  eyes  with  his  sleeve,  he  apologeti- 
cally added,  — 

•"  What  a  tormented  fool  I'm  actin'  like  !  " 

"  No,  you  an't,  Sam,"  replied  Captain  Dee  ;  "  you're 
talking  like  an  honest  and  true  man.  And,  if  you  said 
anything  else  of  James  and  his  mother,  I  should  be 
tempted  to  whop  you,  old  as  I  am.  As  for  me,  I've 
done  little  or  nothing  but  treat  you  as  you  deserved  to 

15 


226  SAM  SHIRK: 

be.  You're  a  good  fellow,  Sam  ;  and  don't  be  fool 
enough  to  be  ashamed  of  it."  And  the  kind-hearted 

O 

old  Captain  shook  Shirk's  hand  cordially,  which  brought 
the  tears  back  again  into  his  eyes. 

"  Well,  when  you're  ashamed  o'  me  agin,  any  on 
ye,  jest  shoot  me.  I'd  thank  you  to,  sooner  than  look 
ye  in  the  eyes  arter  it." 

"  No,  no,  Sam.  We  shouldn't  do  any  such  thing  ; 
there  would  be  several  serious  objections.  But  never 
fear  ;  there'll  be  no  occasion.  You're  all  right." 

"  Well,  if  I  be,  I'd  oughter ;  I  don't  desarve  no 
credit  for't.  But  I  don't  know  but  I've  been  too  hard 
on  poor  Dave.  He  han't  had  sich  a  friend  as  I  have ; 
and  that  'ere  woman  of  his  would  drag  most  men  down, 
I  should  judge  by  the  looks'on  her.  She  an't  no  ac- 
count at  all,  to  my  mind ;  a  nasty,  mismanaging  good- 
for-nothin'  slut.  She  looks  jest  like  somethin'  the  cat's 
brought  into  the  house.  If  I  had  sich  a  woman, 
I'd  "  — 

"'Put  up  with  her,  as  well  as  you  could,  I  guess, 
Sam.  But  may  be  you  are  a  little  too  hard  with  her 
too.  Perhaps  she  does  as  well  as  she  knows  how." 

"  P'raps  she  does.  But  I  don't  see  the  use  of  a 
woman  that  can't  keep  things  decent,  and  throws  'em 
out  o'  the  winder  as  fast  as  her  husband  can  bring  'em 
in  at  the  door." 

Sam  uttered  this  unsentimental  comment  upon  con- 
jugal relations  with  a  tone  that  seemed  to  say  that  it 
settled  the  question  beyond  all  legitimate  controversy. 
Their  attention,  moreover,  was  drawn  to  more  pressing 
matters,  for  the  conflagration  was  now  fast  reaching 
the  woods  immediately  in  their  front.  They  could  see, 
where  they  sat,  the  burning  fragments  whirled  through 
the  air  before  the  fierce  breath  of  the  fire,  and  kindling, 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        227 

in  detached  spots,  still  further  on.  Close  upon  these 
followed  the  eager  flames,  lapping  up  with  their  hot 
tongues  the  withered  brakes,  fallen  leaves,  and  every 
other  combustible  thing  upon  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
Then  leaped  after  them  the  towering  flashes,  seizing 
with  the  rapidity  of  lightning  upon  the  already  heated 
and  dried  foliage  of  the  trees,  and  seeming  to  scale  the 
very  skies,  as  they  darted,  crackling  and  hissing,  up 
the  tall  trunks,  and  shot  out  in  greedy  whirls  to  the 
utmost  extremity  of  every  limb.  From  this  glowing 
furnace,  the  heavy  clouds  of  smoke  rolled  up  in  tor- 
tuous columns,  till  they  formed  a  dense  canopy  that 
floated  slowly  to  leeward,  and  then,  descending  again 
as  it  grew  heavier  by  cooling,  enveloped  the  woods 
and  ground  in  an  almost  impenetrable  shroud. 

As  the  magnificent  but  destructive  spectacle  swept 
down  close  before  them,  conversation  ceased  in  an  ab- 
sorbing observation  of  the  terrible  grandeur  of  the 
scene.  The  spectators  gazed  silently  at  the  brilliant 
bursts  of  flame  flashing  through  the  deep  curtains  of 
smoke,  and  watched  anxiously  every  cinder  that  flew 
over  the  buildings  they  were  so  solicitous  to  save. 
After  a  few  moments  of  stillness,  unbroken  except 
by  the  exulting  crackle  of  the  voracious  element,  as  it 
spread  its  red  sheets  in  triumph  over  shrub  after  shrub 
and  tree  after  tree,  a  low,  wild  bleat  was  heard  in  front 
of  them,  and  the  branches  of  a  clump  of  young  firs 
waved  and  parted.  In  an  instant  or  two,  a  spotted 
fawn,  of  four  or  five  months  old,  broke  from  the  thicket, 
and,  clearing  the  log-fence  at  a  bound,  continued  its 
headlong  flight,  till  it  paused  amazed  in  the  very  cen- 
tre of  the  group.  Marquis,  carried  away  by  his  sport- 
ing instincts,  greeted  the  sudden  visitor  with  a  sharp 
bark  of  surprise,  and  darted  upon  the  little  fugitive 


228 t  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  merciless  alacrity.  But  William  arrested  the  at- 
tack with  a  sharp  "  Down,  down,  sir ! "  and  rescued 
the  frightened  creature  from  its  new  danger.  The 
graceful  and  timid  animal,  appalled  apparently  by  the 
threatened  destruction  from  which  it  had  fled  and  by 
the  strange  society  into  which  its  frantic  rush  had 
brought  it,  crouched  trembling  at  his  feet,  without  any 
further  attempt  to  escape,  his  deep,  dark  eyes  fastening 
themselves,  in  wonder  and  mute  entreaty,  on  the  boy's 
kind  face,  as  he  bent  protectingly  over  him. 

"  Poor  little  fellow  !  He  has  lost  his  mother  in  the 
hurry-scurry,  and  is  frightened  out  of  his  wits."  So 
saying,  he  gently  took  up  the  panting  runaway,  and 
carried  him  into  a  calf-pen  which  he  had  observed  in 
the  barn,  where  he  laid  him  softly  upon  a  bed  of 
straw. 

"  Take  him  home  and  tame  him,  William,"  said 
his  father ;  "  he  will  make  a  pretty  pet.  Marquis  will 
soon  learn  to  live  in  peace  with  him.  I  don't  know 
how  he'll  get  along  with  old  Poll,  though,  if  she 
takes  it  into  her  head  to  grudge  him  his  dinner." 

Before  William  could  return  from  securing  his  little 
captive,  the  attention  of  all  was  arrested  by  a  loud 
scream  ;  and,  looking  toward  the  house,  they  saw  Mrs. 
Doolittle,  from  whose  musical  throat  the  outcry  pro- 
ceeded, pointing  upwards  energetically  with  one  skinny 
arm,  from  which  the  fragments  of  her  ragged  sleeve 
depended  in  picturesque  streamers.  Following  the  in- 
dication of  her  gesture,  they  saw,  with  alarm,  a  light 
wreath  of  smoke  curling  up  from  the  bark  covering  of 
the  roof. 

"D n  it  all!"    shouted   Captain   Dee;   "that 

confounded  house  means  to  get  on  fire,  after  all  our 
trouble."     Dashing  down  his  pipe,  he  rushed,  as  fast 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        229 

as  his  short  and  tired  legs   could   carry  him,  to   the 
scene  of  new  danger. 

But  the  younger  men  outstripped  the  less  efficient 
alacrity  of  the  good  Captain.  Before  he  reached  the 
spot,  Shirk  had  clambered,  with  a  desperate  bound, 
upon  the  low  roof,  and  dashed  upon  the  incipient  flames 
a  bucket  of  water  handed  up  to  him  by  Butler.  The 
stray  cinder,  that  had  lodged  in  a  crevice  of  the  'sheets 
of  hemlock  bark,  was  speedily  extinguished  ;  and  a  few 
more  pailfuls  of  water  thoroughly  averted  the  threat- 
ening peril. 

The  triumphant  Sam  tossed  down  the  last  empty 
bucket ;  but,  as  he  waved  his  cap  in  a  victorious  hurra, 
he  suddenly  disappeared  from  sight  through  the  frail 
covering  with  a  loud  crash,  —  to  the  mutual  consterna- 
tion of  himself  and  his  friends  below.  Before,  how- 
ever, the  astonished  spectators  of  the  catastrophe  re- 
covered their  self-possession,  his  bronzed  face  was  stuck 
up  through  the  shattered  bark,  enlivened  by  a  broad 
grin  that  assured  them  of  his  escape  from  bodily 
harm. 

"  No  bones  broken  yet ;  but  your  garret  floor  an't 
so  soft  as  a  feather-bed,  Dave.  No  harm  done,  but  a 
few  pailfuls  of  water  leaked  down  into  the  room  below 
there  ;  and  I  don't  think  Miss  Doolittle  will  be  much 
troubled  about  that,"  said  Sam,  with  a  somewhat  mali- 
ciously significant  laugh.  "  But  I  guess  I  won't  trust 
your  ruff  agin.  I'll  come  down  the  ladder  inside 
here." 

In  a  moment  Sam  descended  the  primitive  staircase 
and  rejoined  his  companions,  undamaged  by  his  invol- 
untary exploit. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  there  was  no  risk  of 
a  recurrence  of  the  danger  so  happily  prevented ;  for 


230  SAM  SHIRK: 

the  fire  had  now  passed  far  beyond  the  buildings,  and 
reaching  the  river  at  many  points,  was  arrested  by  the 
water,  or  the  low  and  swampy  grounds  in  its  neighbor- 
hood. Although  it  still  raged  and  roared  where  mate- 
rial remained  to  feed  its  fury,  it  was  clear  the  crisis 
was  past.  The  space,  passed  over  by  its  ravages,  now 
lay  a  blank  waste,  where  nothing  was  to  be  seen  but 
black,  charred,  and  mutilated  trees  and  gray  ashes,  — 
except  that  here  and  there  the  remnants  of  the  dense 
thickets  still  burned  feebly  ;  and  the  fire  yet  clung  tena- 
ciously to  the  half-rotted  stumps  and  the  dry  fallen 
timber ;  and  quivering  tongues  of  flame  danced  still 
upon  the  half-consumed  extremities  of  the  branches 
of  the  trees,  standing  in  sombre  ruin,  stripped  of  every 
vestige  of  vegetation. 

The  volunteer  protectors  of  the  rescued  homestead 
were  now  proceeding  to  gather  up  their  equipments, 
and  resume  their  interrupted  journey  ;  but  Mrs.  Doo- 
little  interposed  the  usual  backwoods  hospitality,  with 
the  cordial  zeal  prompted  by  her  lively  sense  of  the 
services  rendered,  in  their  almost  hopeless  extremity. 

"  Ye  an't  goin'  without  nothin'  to  eat, —  and  not  had 
yer  dinners  nuther,  for  fightin'  this  dreadful  fire, — 
sartin  sure  !  Mr.  Doolittle,  can't  you  jest  take  a  pail 
and  get  me  some  fresh  water?  I'll  git  sumthin'  or 
nuther  ready,  in  a  little  while.  But  I'm  sorry  the 
foxes  has  stole  all  our  chickins." 

"  I'm  sorry  too,"  muttered  Shirk,  in  an  aside  to 
William.  "  It's  a  pity  they  don't  love  wimmin." 

Captain  Dee  and  Butler  both  attempted  to  excuse 
themselves  from  the  experiment  of  her  grateful  but 
questionable  kindness,  by  the  plea,  that  they  had  still 
a  long  walk  before  them  and  could  rely  on  the  lun- 
cheon yet  untouched  in  their  pockets.  But,  finding 


A   TALE   OF  THE   WOODS   OF  MAINE.        231 

the  good  woman's  sensitiveness  deeply  involved  in  the 
point,  they  good-naturedly  consented  to  stay  and  abide 
their  chances.  So  the  master  of  the  house  started  for 
the  spring,  in  furtherance  of  the  labors  of  his  help- 
mate ;  and  Captain  Dee  returned  to  his  pipe,  left  half 
smoked  in  the  hurry  of  the  late  alarm,  accompanied 
by  his  fellow-travellers. 

"  Captain  Dee,"  said  Shirk,  as  he  adjusted  his 
back  against  a  log  and  prepared  his  own  pipe,  "  I 
wish  you  hadn't  agreed  to  stop.  That  'ei'e  woman  '11 
pison  us  all,  I  do  believe.  She's  jest  as  like  as  not  to 
boil  up  a  bull-frog  in  the  tea,  and  get  a  shovel  or  two 
of  ashes  into  the  vittles." 

"  O  Sam,  don't  you  worry  yourself  any  more ! 
We  couldn't  get  away  without  affronting  her.  You 
know  we  must  eat  a  peck  of  dirt  in  the  course  of  our 
lives  ;  and  you  may  just  as  well  take  a  few  spoonfuls 
of  your  allowance  now  as  at  any  time  ;  and  as  for 
the  tea ;  let's  hope  for  the  best.  May  be  we'll  get 
off  with  a  pollywog  or  two.  I  never  knew  you  to  be 
so  spiteful,  Sam." 

"  Well,  I  can't  help  it,  Captain.  All  is,  if  I  had  sich 
a  woman,  I'd  "  — 

Whether  Sam's  marital  indignation  was  too  great 
for  utterance,  or  whether  he  deprecated  the  risk  of  the 
Captain's  displeasure,  he  never  finished  the  sentence, 
but  applied  himself  industriously  to  the  preparation  of 
his  tobacco. 

The  conflagration  had  now  rolled  far  away  to  lee- 
ward ;  and  the  brisk  southwest  wind  had  driven  off 
the  smoke  before  it,  though  small  columns  still  rose  in 
some  places  into  the  air,  from  spots  where  the  flames 
had  found  the  most  abundant  material.  Isolated  fires 
were  yet  burning  actively,  and  the  old  stumps  smoked 


232  SAM  SHIRK: 

in  dull  combustion ;  but  the  desolated  forest  around 
stood,  a  black  mass  of  scorched  skeletons,  stripped  of 
all  that  was  readily  inflammable,  and  doomed  to  silent 
and  mouldering  decay. 

The  balmy  breeze  again  furnished  an  atmosphere  fit 
for  respiration,  although  a  strong  and  pungent  taint 
of  smoke  pervaded  it.  Great  was  the  relief  to  the 
wearied  men,  who  had  been  compelled  to  exert  their 
physical  endurance  to  the  utmost,  not  only  in  the 
severe  labor  they  had  undergone,  but  also  in  the  ex- 
hausting annoyance  and  irritation  of  the  almost  intol- 
erable cloud  of  smoke  and  ashes.  They  were  all  well 
content  to  rest  their  tired  limbs  and  sore  lungs,  in 
quiet  enjoyment  of  restored  comfort,  until  Mrs.  Doo- 
little's  shrill  scream  informed  them  that  her  labors  in 
their  behalf  had  reached  their  accomplishment. 

When  they  had  seated  themselves  around  the  totter- 
ing and  broken-legged  table  that  unsteadily  supported 
its  hospitable  load,  they  found  Sam's  evil  prognostics 
at  fault,  —  at  least  so  far  as  was  obvious  to  the  senses. 
Notwithstanding  the  delinquencies  of  the  foxes  and  the 
unthriftiness  that  generally  made  Doolittle's  larder 
anything  but  luxurious,  the  poor  woman's  sincere  ex- 
ertions for  their  comfort  had  met  with  a  reward  not 
always  vouchsafed  to  her  good  intentions.  The  first 
and  main  course  consisted,  indeed,  only  of  rashers  of 
pork  and  boiled  potatoes.  But  it  was  backed  up  by 
a  plate  of  good  hot  bread  and  fresh  butter,  and  fur- 
ther recommended  to  the  appetite  by  a  very  tolerable 
decoction  of  tea,  the  value  of  which  fragrant  cordial 
is  nowhere  more  appreciated  than  in  the  simple  diet 
of  frontier  life.  Shirk  was  compelled  to  confess  that 
he  could  not  detect  even  a  tadpole  to  disturb  its  rel- 
ish ;  and  if  any  illegitimate  ingredients  were  present 


A   TALE  OF   THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        28-3 

in  the  other  viands,  there  was  no  outward  evidence 
of  the  fact.  Therefore,  by  rule  of  law  and  Christian 
charity  alike,  their  innocence  was  to  be  presumed.  A 
pie  made  of  fresh  berries  and  a  dessert  of  the  same 
native  luxuries,  which  are  afforded  in  such  abundance 
from  all  the  nooks  and  corners  of  a  new  clearing,  in  a 
virgin  soil,  completed  a  repast,  perfectly  satisfactory  to 
the  simple  and  hearty  appetites  of  the  guests.  Nobody 
was  disposed  to  criticise  the  incongruous  character  of 
the  table  furniture  ;  although  the  cups  were  nearly  all 
of  different  patterns,  and  mismatched  with  saucers  that 
still  farther  increased  the  variety,  the  plates  of  differ- 
ent colors  and  sizes,  and  the  knives  and  forks  appar- 
ently ambassador  samples  from  half  the  manufacturers 
in  England. 

After  the  meal  was  dispatched,  the  travellers  pre- 
pared to  take  leave  of  their  entertainers.  It  was  ar- 
ranged with  Doolittle  that  he  should,  on  the  morrow, 
drive  down  his  ox-cart,  bringing  with  him  the  little 
fawn,  Sam's  wolf-skins,  and  his  own  deer-hides,  which 
he  wished  to  trade  off  at  the  village  for  articles  needed 
more  than  ever  in  his  household,  in  consequence  of  the 
late  disaster. 

Shaking  hands  with  David,  whose  moist  eyes  and 
nervous  grasp  bespoke  his  gratitude  even  better  than 
the  voluble  and  reiterated  thanks  of  his  wife,  the  lit- 
tle party  turned  their  backs  upon  the  dismal  trunks 
of  the  scorched  and  dismantled  neighborhood,  and 
started  once  more  for  home.  But  it  was  not  till  after 
midnight  that  they  laid  their  heads  upon  their  pillows 
to  enjoy  the  sweet  rest  doubly  earned  by  severe  toil 
and  the  pleasant  conviction  of  good  done  to  a  fellow- 
man. 


234  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

SHORTLY  after  the  expedition  we  have  recounted,  as 
Butler  left  home  one  morning  after  breakfast,  he  saw 
Squire  Preston  coming  up  the  road  towards  him  at  a 
furious  rate.  As  soon  as  within  hearing,  the  lawyer 
shouted  out,  — 

"  Good-morning,  Butler ;  I've  been  looking  every- 
where for  you." 

"  Except  at  home,  where  I  might  reasonably  be 
supposed  to  be,"  added  James,  laughing. 

"  That's  rich,  on  my  word.  Why,  as  long  as  I've 
lived  in  Merrifield,  I  have  never  looked  for  a  man  at 
home,  except  at  dinner  and  bed-time.  We're  out-of- 
door  folks  here.  But  hang  that.  We  want  to  get 
you  to  sit  upon  a  reference  this  morning." 

"  Which  is  about  the  most  uncomfortable  seat  you 
can  invite  a  man  to  occupy,"  said  Butler,  still  laugh- 
ing. 

"  Well,  I  don't  dispute  that  point ;  and  I  don't 
propose  it  as  an  object  of  either  pleasure  or  profit. 
But  this  is  a  matter  of  Christian  charity.  You've 
heard  of  the  famous  case  of  Oliver  Vail  vs.  Sam 
Aiken.  No !  well  so  much  the  better.  Now  those 
two  idiots  have  been  in  a  quarrel  these  four  years 
about  an  infernal  yearling  ram.  The  case  has  been 
through  all  the  courts,  but  no  jury  could  ever  agree  ; 
it  has  been  carried  up  on  all  sorts  of  law  points, 


A    TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        235 

but  there's  no  point  in  the  law  on  which  it  will  stick. 
At  last,  after  spending  their  last  dollars,  and  in  de- 
spair of  ever  settling  it  in  any  less  rational  and  more 
expensive  way,  the  fools  have  agreed  to  what  they 
might  have  done  as  well  the  first  day,  —  to  leave  it  to 
the  common  sense  of  three  of  their  neighbors  to  say 
which  is  the  bigger  blockhead  of  the  two.  One  of  the 
referees  is  sick,  and  can't  come  ;  and  you  have  been 
agreed  on  to  take  his  place." 

"  And  a  pleasant  place  too,  according  to  your 
account,  Squire.  I  should  prefer  not  to  take  it." 

"  O,  don't  refuse,  for  Heaven's  sake  !  The  thing's 
been  in  everybody's  mouth  for  years.  Not  a  man, 
woman,  or  child  within  forty  miles  that  hasn't  quar- 
reled it  threadbare.  There  isn't  another  man  in  the 
county  but  you  that  we  can  get  the  parties  agreed 
on ;  for  they  suppose  everybody  else  committed  to  one 
side  or  the  other.  If  you  don't  come,  we  shall  never 
see  an  end  to  it,  till  the  millenium." 

"  Well,  Squire,  how  long  is  it  since  you  gentlemen 
of  the  law  have  been  so  anxious  to  terminate  law- 
suits? I  thought  your  interest  lay  in  nursing  them 
up  to  the  last  minute." 

"  Pooh,  pooh.  We  lawyers  have  to  take  in  hand 
all  the  dirty  doings  of  all  the  rest  of  you,  to  prevent 
your  knocking  out  each  other's  brains  in  the  streets. 
We  are  the  moral  washerwomen  of  the  commu- 
nity. Of  course  we  must  see  that  we  don't  starve. 
That  would  be  very  uncomfortable  to  us,  and  a  great 
loss  to  the  public.  But  our  consciences  are  as  good, 
at  least,  as  the  average.  Besides,  we  know  better  than 
to  kill  outright  the  geese  that  lay  our  golden  eggs." 

"  The  geese  ought  to  feel  obliged  to  you  for  your 
consideration.  But  it  seems  you  sometimes  employ 
the  geese  to  settle  their  own  quarrels." 


236  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  Certainly,  when  we  find  the  quarrel  is  so  goose- 
like  that  nobody  but  geese  can  settle  it.  But  come 
along,  that's  a  good  fellow.  We'll  make  you  chief 
justice  of  the  court." 

"  Well,  since  you  place  the  matter  in  such  a  com- 
plimentary point  of  view,  I  don't  see  but  I  must." 

The  two  gentlemen  then  walked  across  the  bridge, 
to  the  office  of  Mr.  Preston,  a  dingy  den  over  one  of 
the  stores,  where  the  Goddess  of  Justice  held  her  ses- 
sions for  that  vicinity.  As  they  approached,  they 
found  the  contiguous  corners  and  street  sprinkled  with 
a  promiscuous  crowd,  gathered  by  business  or  curiosity 
from  a  circle  of  some  miles  about  the  village. 

In  the  days  of  the  good  old  rule  — 

"  That  he  should  take  that  has  the  power, 
And  he  should  keep  who  can," 

men  settled  their  petty  differences  mainly  by  hard 
knocks.  As  civilization  -and  social  order  get  the  bet- 
ter of  violence  and  force,  law  supersedes  the  natural 
remedies  of  fist  and  knife,  for  real  or  supposed  injuries. 
In  course  of  time,  knowledge  and  refinement  do  much 
to  repress  litigation.  Men  find  out  that  quarreling  is 
alike  troublesome  and  unprofitable.  But  the  ruder 
stages  of  society  are  generally  litigious.  The  pugnac- 
ity and  disposition  to  seek  immediate  reparation  or 
vengeance  for  a  wrong,  inherent  in  human  nature, 
have  not  yet  been  tamed  down  to  social  courtesy. 
Rough  and  uneducated  men,  if  they  do  not  take  the 
law  into  their  own  hands,  are  very  apt,  at  least,  to 
keep  their  hands  in  the  law  ;  and  make  as  prompt  and 
eager  use  of  the  milder  means  of  offense  and  defense 

O 

still  left  to  them,  as  they  would  of  their  own  brawny 
arms  and  boisterous  passions,  if  they  were  freed  from 
the  restrictions  of  civic  order.  Merrifield,  like  most 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        237 

frontier  places,  exemplified  this  fact  to  a  considerable 
extent.  The  justice  of  the  peace  and  the  lawyers 
found  large  occupation  in  adjusting  the  petty  dissen- 
sions and  pecuniary  entanglements  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. Upon  every  Saturday,  these  dignitaries  held  a 
court-leet,  with  such  special  intermediate  sessions  as 
extraordinary  emergencies  might  require.  But  on 
Saturday,  the  tenants  of  the  outskirting  farms  and  the 
inhabitants  of  the  neighboring  hamlets  poured  in  to 
this  central  point,  to  see  what  was  going  on  in  the 
court,  if  they  had  no  business  of  their  own  there,  and 
do  up  all  the  errands  of  the  week,  treasured  and 
reserved  for  this  particular  occasion.  It  was  a  general 
fair  day,  or,  considering  the  peculiar  and  prominent 
features  of  it,  a  general  foul  day  for  a  considerable  cir- 
cle of  country. 

As  they  mingled  with  the  concourse,  Butler  observed 
to  his  companion,  but  in  a  tone  in  which  sadness  was 
mingled  with  the  jocoseness  that  had  animated  their 
conversation,  — 

"  Your  flock  of  geese  seems  pretty  large,  Mr. 
Preston." 

"  It  is  indeed,"  replied  the  lawyer  soberly.  "  More 
geese  than  grass  for  them,  I  fear." 

They  pushed  their  way  up  a  steep  and  narrow  stair- 
case, through  the  in-goers  and  out-comers,  to  the  low- 
browed room  in  the  second  story,  where  proceedings 
were  held.  Three  fourths  of  the  apartment  were 
crowded  with  men,  many  in  their  shirt-sleeves,  seated 
on  wooden  benches  or  standing  thickly  and  confusedly 
about  the  floor.  At  its  upper  part  was  a  platform, 
raised  a  single  step,  upon  which  stood  a  few  chairs  dis- 
posed round  a  long  table.  The  farther  end  of  the 
table  was  provided  with  an  arm-chair,  appropriated  to 


238  SAM   SHIRK: 

the  presiding  personage,  whoever,  for  the  time,  he 
might  be,  into  which  Butler  was  inducted  upon  the 
present  occasion.  In  this  portion  of  the  chamber 
decorum  and  quiet  prevailed,  though  unaccompanied 
with  any  very  grave  formality.  But  the  audience  sat 
or  stood,  with  hats  on  or  without,  smoking,  chatting, 
laughing  at  each  other's  jokes,  or  at  any  pungent 
observation  or  sharp  stroke  among  the  legal  author- 
ities, with  entire  ease  and  nonchalance.  Yet  amid  all 
this  freedom,  the  old  Anglo-Saxon  respect  to  law  and 
adherence  to  order  were  apparent,  and  not  less  spon- 
taneous than  the  general  easy  indifference  of  demeanor. 
The  constable  himself,  the  sole  exponent  of  public 
authority,  stood  laughing  and  jesting  with  the  multi- 
tude, without  the  smallest  external  badge  or  indication 
of  office.  Yet,  when  Butler  intimated  that  all  was 
ready  to  proceed  to  the  business  on  hand,  all  noise  and 
disorder  that  could  interfere  with  the  graver  matters 
were  hushed.  The  two  simple  words  "  Order,  gen- 
tlemen !  "  were  the  only  thing  necessary.  The  consta- 
ble sat  down  on  the  edge  of  the  platform,  ready  to  wait 
upon  the  court,  as  required  ;  and  without  further  cer- 
emony the  trial  was  commenced. 

Squire  Preston  rose,  and,  selecting  the  writ  from  a 
bundle  of  papers  before  him,  proceeded  to  read  it, 
mumbling  over  and  compressing  into  etc.,  etc.'s  its 
tedious  technicalities. 

"  And  the  plaintiff  comes,  etc.,  etc.,  and  says  that 

on  the day  of ,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  17 — , 

at  Merrifield  aforesaid,  the  said  defendant  did  casually 
find  a  certain  yearling  lamb,  ram,  or  sheep  of  the  value 
of  three  dollars,  to  him  the  said  plaintiff  belonging,  and 
then  and  there  wrongfully  converted  the  said  yearling, 
lamb,  ram,  or  sheep  to  his  own  use,"  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        239 

The  Squire  then  passed  the  writ  over  to  the  profes- 
sional gentleman  upon  the  other  side,  who  scrutinized 
it  carefully,  but  said  nothing.  Either  by  virtue  of 
the  legal  skill  of  the  one,  or  the  equal  or  greater  igno- 
rance of  the  mysteries  of  special  pleading  on  the  part 
of  his  adversary,  the  writ  seemed  unobjectionable. 
Indeed,  its  smoky  and  venerable  hue,  dogs-eared  cor- 
ners, and  rent  foldings  testified  to  an  experience  in  hos- 
tile investigation  that  might  well  defy  farther  attack. 
It  had  evidently  passed  through  an  ordeal  that  might 
be  supposed  to  have  laid  bare  any  weak  point,  if  such 
existed.  At  any  rate,  Squire  Punchard,  though  he 
looked  terribly  wise  at  it,  didn't  venture  to  impugn  it ; 
and  the  counsel  for  the  plaintiff  went  on,  uninter- 
rupted by  technical  impediment. 

"  You  are  aware,  gentlemen  referees,  that  the  plain 
English  of  this  is,  that  we  claim  that  the  defendant, 
by  some  means  or  other,  got  possession  of  this  animal 
belonging  to  my  client,  and  has  kept  it  for  his  own  ben- 
efit ;  and  consequently  we  demand,  in  this  suit,  its  mar- 
ket value  to  be  paid  us,  according  to  law  and  equity, 
with  suitable  damages.  I  will  not  detain  you  by  use- 
less explanation,  but  will  now  lay  before  you  evidence, 
that  we  consider  indisputable,  of  the  justice  of  our 
claim." 

Thereupon  he  read  over  a  list  of  some  dozen  wit- 
nesses, which  he  then  handed  over  to  the  constable. 
That  functionary,  who  had  been  discussing  a  horse- 
trade,  sotto  voce,  with  his  next  neighbor  among  the 
spectators,  abstracted  himself  from  his  individual  inter- 
ests for  a  moment,  and  repeated  it  with  official  empha- 
sis ;  and  the  witnesses  ranged  themselves  in  a  row  be- 
fore the  foot  of  the  table  to  take  the  customary  oath. 
William  Vail,  plaintiff,  who  was  seated  beside  his  coun- 


240  SAM  SHIRK: 

sel,  in  all  the  conscious  importance  of  being  one  of  the 
two  chief  personages  of  the  occasion  in  whose  behalf 
and  by  whose  agency  the  whole  ceremony  was  insti- 
tuted, looked  at  the  array  with  a  satisfied  smile  ; 
while  Squire  Preston  cast  upon  them  a  dignified  and 
confident  glance,  such  as  a  gdneral  might  throw  along 
the  line  of  a  gallant  army  by  whose  prowess  he  trusted 
to  win  an  impending  battle.  On  the  other  hand,  Sam 
Aiken,  defendant,  viewed  them  with  a  scowl  half  depre- 
cating, half  indignant,  as  a  set  of  individuals  sadly 
misguided  and  mistaken,  if  not  liable  to  graver  impu- 
tations ;  while  the  face  of  Squire  Punchard  assumed 
an  expression  of  lofty  pity,  as  if  he  saw  in  them  only 
a  rabble  rout,  about  to  be  annihilated  in  due  time,  by 
his  own  superior  forces  and  generalship. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  by-play,  the  plaintiff's  coun- 
sel called  out  his  leading  witness.  The  sum  of  his  tes- 
timony was,  that  in  the  spring  of  the  year  mentioned 
in  the  writ,  he  had  seen  a  certain  yearling  ram  belong- 
ing to  the  flock  of  William  Vail,  turned  out  to  pasture 
upon  the  commons  with  the  rest  of  his  woolly  associ- 
ates, and  that  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  saw 
the  same  animal  in  Aiken's  barn-yard  with  his  flock,  and 
that  he  heard  him  refuse  to  give  him  up  to  Vail,  claim- 
ing him  to  be  his  own.  There  was  also  testimony  as 
to  the  mixing  up  of  flocks  pasturing  on  the  commons 
together,  the  depredations  of  wolves,  and  other  like 
contingencies  of  ovine  life  in  those  parts.  Having 
elicited  all  that  the  witness  knew,  and  perhaps  a  little 
more,  Squire  Preston  blandly  turned  him  over  to  the 
tender  care  of  his  learned  brother;  who  commenced 
his  cross  examination  by  a  slight  skirmish  upon  the 
details  of  the  testimony,  and  woun  d  up  with  a  terrific 
attack  upon  the  essential  question  of  the  identity  of 
the  subject  of  controversy. 


A    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         241 

"  How  did  you  know  the  animal  you  saw  in  the 
spring  and  in  the  fall,  to  be  the  same  one  ?  " 

"  Cause  I  know'd  his  countenance  and  the  looks  on 
him." 

"  How  can  you  tell  one  sheep  from  another  by  its 
looks  ?  " 

"  Jest  as  I  can  tell  one  lawyer  from  another  by  his 
looks,"    replied    the  witness ;    whereupon    the    audi- 
ence indulged  themselves  in  a  titter.     "  Besides,  added ' 
he,  "  the  ram  was  marked." 

"  In  what  way  was  he  marked  ?  "  asked  the  lawyer 
with  solemn  earnestness. 

"  His  right  ear  was  notched ;  and  he  had  a  V  in  red 
paint  on  his  shoulder." 

"  Didn't  Aiken  mark  his  sheep  with  an  A  ?  " 

"  I  believe  he  did." 

"  Well,  mightn't  a  man,  who  was  marking  a  sheep 
lying  in  his  lap,  very  easily  make  an  A  upside  down, 
from  carelessness,  that  would  look  very  much  like  a  V 
when  the  animal  stood  up  ?  " 

"  Can't  say,  —  never  stood  the  animal  upside  down 
to  see  what  the  mark  would  look  like.  Dare  say  a 
man  might  make  a  V  instead  of  an  A,  if  he  made 
it  upside  down,  and  didn't  put  no  cross  to  it." 

The  bystanders  burst  into  a  roar  of  laughter  at  this 
conclusive  answer,  which  compelled  the  constable  to 
forego  his  attention  to  his  horse-trade  again,  in  order  to 
shake  his  finger  at  the  crowd  and  shout,  "  Order,  order, 
gentlemen  !  "  But  Squire*  Punchard  settled  himself 
back  in  his  chair  with  a  complacent  air,  as  if  he  had 
effected  a  practicable  breach  in  the  enemy's  rampart. 
If  others  couldn't  see  precisely  whether  he  had  be- 
fooled himself  or  the  witness  most,  he  looked  as  if  he 
had  established  a  point,  if  ever  so  small,  on  which  to 
16 


242  SAM  SHIRK: 

build  an  hypothesis,  that,  if  it  enlightened  nobody, 
might  puzzle,  which  would  do  jnst  as  well.  The  re- 
maining witnesses  of  the  plaintiff  were  then  disposed 
of  to  about  the  same  purpose,  and  as  many  more  called 
up  for  the  defendant. 

These  all  deposed  that  they  knew  the  disputed  ani- 
mal well ;  that  he  belonged,  as  they  believed,  to  Aiken ; 
that  he  had  both  ears  slit,  whether  by  the  thorns 
or  a  jackknife  they  couldn't  say ;  and  that  he  was 
marked  in  red  paint  with  what  they  took  for  an  A, 
although  it  was  much  defaced  by  weather  and  rub- 
bing. 

Squire  Preston  then  badgered  and  bothered  them  to 
his  own  satisfaction  and  their  great  annoyance,  till 
there  was  hardly  more  left  of  the  ram  than  a  shadowy 
myth  ;  and  in  regard  to  the  mark  upon  him,  the  result, 
as  near  as  could  be  stated,  was  that  it  was  either  an  A 
or  a  V,  if  it  was  not  something  else. 

After  elaborate  arguments  on  both  sides,  in  which 
both  advocates  showed  conclusively  that  their  own  wit- 
nesses knew  all  about  the  matter,  and  those  opposed 
nothing  at  all ;  that  the  ram  was  marked  either  with 
an  A  or  a  V,  upside  down  or  otherwise,  or  some  other 
letter  or  symbol  unknown  ;  that  he  was  the  undoubted 
property  of  Vail,  except  that  he  unquestionably  be- 
longed to  Aiken,  the  case  was  left  with  the  refer- 
ees. 

The  room  was  cleared,  the  audience,  lawyers,  wit- 
nesses, constable,  and  all  scattering  themselves  around, 
to  traffic,  chat,  and  smoke,  and  especially  to  sit  in  long 
rows  on  adjacent  sticks  of  timber,  till  they  could  hear 
the  conclusion  of  this  long-disputed  case. 

Butler  sat  for  a  moment  ruefully  eying  his  minutes 
of  the  evidence,  with  the  piles  of  like  rubbish  that  had 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        243 

accumulated  in  previous  trials ;  then,  turning  to  his 
right-hand  associate,  asked,  laughing,  — 

"  Well,  sir,  what  do  you  think  of  this  lucid  and  per- 
spicuous affair  ?  " 

"  I  think  ?  I  don't  mean  to  think  any  more  about 
it.  As  to  whose  or  what  that  ram  was,  bless  me  if  I 
know ! " 

"  And  you  ? "  said  Butler,  turning  to  the  other 
side. 

"  I  don't  think  his  own  mother  would  ever  know 
him  now." 

"  I  certainly  must  say,  for  my  part,  that  he  is  utterly 
incomprehensible  to  me,"  replied  Butler.  "  But  he 
should  have  been  born  with  a  golden  fleece  to  pay  his 
way.  The  only  fact  I  can  come  at  is  that  here  are 
two  foolish  men  who  have  nearly  ruined  themselves, 
and  are  bent  on  doing  it  altogether,  in  a  quarrel  per- 
fectly interminable  ;  and  I  think  it  is  our  duty  to  put 
a  stop  to  it.  No  human  being  can  ever  come  at  any 
reasonable  conclusion  from  these  papers  ;  and  I  propose 
that  we  burn  them  up,  and  set  the  thing  at  rest." 

Butler's  coadjutors  stared,  at  first,  at  this  novel  and 
summary  way  of  settling  a  lawsuit  *'  But  have  we  any 
ricrht  to  do  it?"  asked  one. 

O 

"  Right  ?  no,  not  legally.  It  is  only  our  duty  as 
Christian  men,  and  that's  right  enough.  As  for  the 
pecuniary  responsibility,  I  will  take  that  upon  myself, 
if  you,  gentlemen,  will  support  me  by  your  concur- 
rence." 

The  matter  was  soon  agreed  upon  ;  and  the  two 
huge  bundles  of  documents  were  placed  in  separate 
corners  of  the  fire-place,  with  a  lighted  match  under 
each,  and  speedily  reduced  to  black  heaps  of  cinders. 
The  expectant  crowd  were  then  notified  that  they 


244  SAM  SHIRK: 

might  be  admitted,  and  came  pouring  in  all  agape  to 
know  what  decision  had  been  made  of  this  knotty  con- 
troversy. The  two  lawyers,  with  looks  of  impatient 
curiosity,  resumed  their  chairs,  and  their  clients  sat 
down  by  them,  absorbed  in  anxious  eagerness. 

Squire  Preston  threw  a  wondering  glance  over  the 
bared  table,  and  hazarded  a  question  :  — 

"  Have  you  made  your  decision,  Mr.  Chairman?  " 

"  We  have  settled  the  matter,  I  hope,"  replied 
Butler,  with  a  meaning  smile.  "  We  have  been  ut- 
terly unable,"  continued  he,  addressing  the  expectant 
principals,  "  to  determine  to  which  of  you  this  animal 
belonged,  if,  indeed,  he  belonged  to  either.  All  we 
can  do  is  to  return  each  of  you  his  papers,  with  our 
earnest  advice  to  let  the  matter  rest  here.  Vail, 
those  on  the  right  hand  of  the  fire-place  are  yours, — 
and  those  on  the  left  are  yours,  Aiken.  We  have  put 
them  in  better  order  for  you  than  they  have  been  for 
many  a  day,  as  we  hope  you  will  be  satisfied  upon  re- 
flection." 

All  present  turned  and  stared  a  moment  at  the  sac- 
rificial hearth.  As  the  idea  made  its  way  into  their 
heads,  the  spectators  burst  into  a  tumultuous  roar  of 
merriment,  and  with  laugh  and  joke  rushed  down  into 
the  street  to  inform  the  outside  public  how  this  Gor- 
dian  knot  had  been  cut  at  last. 

The  lawyers,  with  their  clients,  were  left  alone  with 
the  referees.  Squire  Preston  glanced  with  a  comical 
air  of  mingled  approbation  and  remonstrance  from  the 
heaps  of  cinders  to  the  bold  innovators  upon  the  rules 
of  practice ;  Squire  Punchard  looked  decidedly  glum. 
But  just  then  a  cheer  was  heard  under  the  windows : 
"  Hurra  for  Judge  Butler !  "  Preston's  jolly  face 
relaxed,  at  the  sound,  into  a  broad  grin  ;  and  he  drove 


A    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        245 

his  elbow  vigorously  into  the  face  of  his  client,  who 
was  twitching  at  his  coat-sleeve,  with  an  admonitory 
"  Keep  still,  you  fool !  "  and  said  to  Butler,  — 

"  Well,  Judge,  if  we  take  any  exceptions,  I  suppose 
it  will  be  a  contempt  of  court.  So  I  submit.  What 
do  you  say,  Brother  Punchard  ?  " 

Brother  Punchard  had  by  this  time  softened  down 
to  a  state  of  calmer  appreciation  of  the  position,  and, 
first  scowling  down  his  still  belligerent  client,  as  his 
antagonist  had  been  obliged  to  do  with  his  constituent, 
replied  with  a  hearty  laugh,  — 

"  As  the  Court  has  seen  fit  to  issue  a  writ  of  fiery 
facias,  I  don't  see  that  there  is  anything  to  be  said." 

"  Then,  Vail  and  Aiken,"  said  Butler,  "  you  just  shake 
hands  with  each  other,  and  settle  this  quarrel  forever  ; 
and  I'll  give  you  each  two  sheep  out  of  my  own  flock, 
and  you  may  come  and  pick  them  out  when  you 
please." 


246  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

NOTHING  further  occurred  during  the  aiitumn  of 
much  import  to  the  inhabitants  of  Merrifield.  When 
winter  brought  more  leisure  with  it,  Shirk  followed  out 
eagerly  the  plan  proposed  by  Butler,  and  proved  an 
assiduous  scholar.  The  ardent  desire  that  he  felt  to 
improve  himself,  was  strengthened  by  the  wish  to 
please  his  instructor.  He  almost  worshipped  Butler, 
and  was  prouder  of  being  his  favored  pupil  than  he 
would  have  been  to  be  prime  minister  to  a  king. 
Sam,  indeed,  was  fairly  inspired,  as  a  melodious  Cam- 
panian  herdsman  might  have  been,  had  the  god  Pan 
presented  him  with  his  own  divine  pipes,  and  taught 
him  his  own  supernal  harmonies. 

Butler's  new  house  was  nearly  finished  ;  and  al- 
though he  had  determined  to  keep  the  household  in 
their  old  quarters  for  the  winter,  he  had  furnished 
one  room,  which  was  intended  for  his  own  private  use. 
It  was  there  that  he  and  Shirk  generally  spent  their 
winter  afternoons.  The  comfortable  arm-chairs,  hand- 
some carpet,  shelves  of  books,  walls  hung  with  a  few 
choice  engravings,  the  mantel  clock,  and  other  won- 
ders brought  from  the  metropolis,  made  this  apart- 
ment fairy-land  to  Sam.  It  also  suited  Watch  very 
well,  who,  in  consideration  of  his  old  age,  was  allowed 
to  stretch  himself  upon  the  rug  before  the  fire  when 
he  pleased ;  where  he  generally  assisted  with  grave 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        247 

decorum  at  the  studies  or  conversations  of  his  biped 
friends. 

One  afternoon,  after  two  or  three  hours  of  study, 
Butler  laid  down  his  book,  drew  his  chair  to  the  fire, 
lighted  a  cigar,  and  said  to  his  pupil :  "  Come,  Sam, 
we  have  done  pretty  well  to-day.  Turn  round  to  the 
fire,  and  take  a  cigar,  or  light  your  pipe,  if  you  prefer. 
I  feel  chatty." 

Shirk  readily  complied  with  the  proposition ;  and, 
when  everything  was  comfortably  arranged,  his  young 
patron  went  on  :  — 

"  You  have  done  admirably  so  far,  Sam.  You  can 
now  read  and  write  tolerably,  and  you  understand  and 
enjoy  the  books  I  lend  you.  But  I  observe  you  don't 
speak  much  more  accurately  than  you  used  to." 

"  I  know  it,  and  I've  worried  about  it  myself.  But 
somehow  the  English  in  the  books  seems  to  be  a  differ- 
ent language  from  what  I've  talked  all  my  life.  The 
folks  at  home,  and  most  of  'em  round  the  village,  talk 
just  as  I  do  ;  and  it  comes  hard  to  me  to  do  any  dif- 
ferent, even  when  I  know  better.  Besides,  if  I  under- 
take to  talk  as  you  do,  most  folks  would  think  I  was 
gettin'  consated,  and  thought  I  know'd  more  than  they 
do,  and  I  shouldn't  like  that.  It  would  be  a  sort  of 
mean." 

"  I  can  understand  that,  and  it's  not  altogether 
wrong.  Still  I  should  advise  you  to  try  to  correct 
your  inaccuracies  gradually.  Talk  as  simply  as  you 
please,  but  talk  good  grammar.  We  must  always  try 
to  say  and  do  what  we  know  is  right  and  proper. 
There  is  no  danger  of  doing  too  well  in  this  world." 

"  No,  sir,  that  there  an't.  I  begin  to  see  now  what 
you  meant  when  you  told  me  I  might  study  a  hun- 
dred years,  and  yet  have  plenty  to  learn." 


248  SAM  SHIRK: 

Butler  smiled,  but  made  no  reply,  and,  lapsing  into 
a  thoughtful  mood,  sat  looking  silently  into  the  fire. 
His  pupil,  respecting  his  evident  abstraction,  also  oc- 
cupied himself  with  his  own  thoughts  for  a  while. 
But,  after  a  long  silence,  he  arose,  shook  out  the  ashes 
of  his  pipe  upon  the  hearth,  and  presently  sat  down 
again.  But  he  fidgeted  in  his  chair,  evidently  ner- 
vous and  restless.  At  length  he  looked  up,  and  said 
in  a  timid  tone  :  "  Mr.  James,"  — 

Butler's  attention  was  instantly  aroused ;  for  he 
knew  that  some  unusually  imposing  idea  was  exercis- 
ing Sam's  mind,  when  he  resumed  his  old  ceremonious 
style  of  address.  He  turned  his  head  directly  towards 
his  companion  ;  but  only  replied  with  "  Well." 

u  I  went  up  country  a  piece,  yesterday,"  resumed 
Sam,  with  a  still  embarrassed  manner.  "  I  hope  you 
won't  be  angry ;  "  and  then  stopped  short  again. 

"  Angry  !  "  repeated  Butler  with  surprise  ;  "  what 
should  I  have  to  do  with  it,  Sam  ?  " 

"  O  sir !  promise  me  not  to  be  angry  with  me  !  I 
don't  know  what  I  should  do  if  you  were ;  but  I 
stopped  at  Mr.  Wilmot's." 

"  Well,  what  of  that?  "  replied  Butler,  with  assumed 
indifference,  but  evident  curiosity  and  interest. 

"  O  James,  don't  think  I'm  impertinent.  I  don't 
know  as  I  had  any  right  to  meddle  ;  but  I  can't  help 
seeing.  I  know'd  you  and  Miss  Mary  when  you  used 
to  play  together  ;  and  I  know'd  you  liked  each  other. 
I  always  thought  you  was  born  to.  But  somehow  a 
sort  of  a  cloud  like's  come  between  you ;  and  it's  been 
a  worryin'  me  to  death.  It's  a  shame.  You  an't  an- 
gry, are  you  ?  "  he  asked,  looking  in  a  half-frightened, 
beseeching  manner  into  his  friend's  now  animated 
face. 


A    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        249 

"  No,  Sam.  I  know,  whatever  you've  done,  that 
you  meant  well.  Now  tell  me  what  you've  been 
about,  and  just  as  it  was  too." 

Sam  proceeded  with  his  story,  with  a  bright  look  of 
encouragement. 

"  Well,  I  made  an  errand  to  Mr.  Wilmot's,  as  if 
I  was  hungry  ;  though  I  had  plenty  in  my  pocket,  and 
had  killed  a  deer  besides.  I  cut  off  a  hind-quarter, 
and  carried  it  to  Mrs.  Wilmot,  and  asked  her  for  some 
dinner.  They'd  all  done,  for  'twas  after  one  o'clock  ; 
but  Miss  Mary,  she  sot  the  table  and  fixed  me  some 
dinner.  Her  mother  went  off  about  somethin',  and 
Mary  sot  and  talked  with  me,  like  a  lady  as  she  is, 
every  inch  of  her.  I  made  believes  eat,  but  I  couldn't 
'a  made  a  real  meal,  if  I'd  know'd  I  shouldn't  see  any- 
thing more  for  a  year,  for  I  was  chock-full  of  some- 
thing else.  So,  after  a  while,  says  I,  *  Miss  Mar}',  they 
do  say  you  are  goin'  to  live  at  Kennebec.'  She  turned 
all  red  and  then  white  agin  ;  and  says  she,  in  a  pitiful 
but  sharp  kind  o'  way,  '  People  say  a  great  many 
things  they  know  nothing  about,  Sam.'  O,  I  wish 
you'd  a  been  there  !  for,  as  soon  as  I  heerd  her,  I 
know'd  right  off  the  story  about  that  etarnal  young 
minister  was  all  in  your  eye.  So  I  went  on,  and  says 
I,  *  I'm  glad  'tan't  true,  Miss  Mary.  I  should  be  sorry 
you  went  away  from  Merrifield  ;  it's  goin'  to  be  some- 
thin'  of  a  place  now.  Mr.  Butler's  come  back,  and 
says  he  means  to  live  there,  and  has  built  him  a  new 
house ; '  and  then  I  stopped  a  minute  to  see  what 
she'd  say.  But  she  turned  pale  as  death,  and  only 
squeezed  out  '  yes,'  so  faint-like  I  could  hardly  hear  it. 
Then  I  went  on,  and  told  her  all  you  and  your  mother  'd 
been  doin'  for  me,  and  how  you  let  me  come  here 
every  day  and  study  with  you,  and  all  about  it.  She 


250  SAM  SHIRK: 

never  said  a  word,  but  sot  swallerin'  down  her  heart  all 
the  time,  till  at  last  she  burst  out  a  cryin'  and  run 
out  of  the  room.  I  wanted  to  cry  too  then,  though 
I  never  was  so  glad  in  my  life.  Well,  I  sot  awhile, 
but  she  didn't  come  back  ;  so  I  thought  I'd  be  off,  and 
took  my  rifle  and  started.  But,  jest  as  I  got  to  the 
door,  she  came  out  of  t'other  room  ;  and  says  she, 
'  Are  you  going,  Sam  ?  I  hope  you've  had  dinner 
enough.'  '  Plenty,'  says  I,  '  thank  you  ; '  and  made  to 
open  the  outer  door.  But  she  grabbed  my  hand,  and 
says  she,  all  pale  and  cryin'  agin,  '  O  Mr.  Shirk  !  don't 
tell  anybody  you  saw  me  cryin'.  I  should  feel 
ashamed  of  myself.'  I  bid  her  good-by,  and  promised 
I  wouldn't.  And  I've  told  a  darned  lie,  and  I'll  tell  a 
thousand  sooner  than  you  shouldn't  know  all  about 
it." 

Sam,  who  had  not  dared  to  look  Butler  in  the  face 
while  he  was  talking,  now  looked  up,  and  as  he  saw 
the  warm  flush  that  covered  James's  features,  and  the 
joyous  expression  of  his  eye,  felt  at  ease  once  more. 

"  I'll  forgive  you  for  the  lie,  Sam  ;  and  perhaps 
Mary  will  by  and  by." 

"  I'll  bet  she  will !  "  and,  tossing  his  cap  up  to  the 
ceiling  and  catching  it  as  it  fell,  he  rushed  out  of 
the  room,  shouting,  "  Hurra,  hurra  !  It's  all  right,  I 
know'd  it  was." 

But  Butler  called  him  back,  and  said,  with  a  sly 
smile :  "  Sam,  I  can't  forgive  your  falsehood,  except 
on  one  condition.  You  must  not  tell  a  word  of  this 
to  anybody  else,  —  mind,  not  a  word  to  anybody." 

"  Mayn't  I  tell  Jenny  ? "  said  Sam,  pleadingly. 
"  Thunder  !  I  shall  burst  if  I  can't  tell  nobody." 

"  Not  a  soul,  Sam.  If  you  do,  I'll  never  forgive 
vou." 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        251 

"  O  Lord !  well,  I  won't  tell  a  soul,  and  I'll  tell  no 
lie  this  time,"  and  off  he  went,  singing  and  whistling 
like  mad. 

After  his  departure  Butler  sat  himself  down  before 
the  fire,  and  went  over  the  whole  recital,  over  and  over 
again.  It  seemed  to  be  plain  enough,  though  he  almost 
feared  to  believe  it.  "  Now  see,"  thought  he,  "  what 
a  little  common  sense  and  plain  dealing  might  have 
done  !  This  honest  fellow  has  come  straight  at  the 
truth,  while  I  have  been  sitting  in  the  dark,  quarreling 
with  goblins  of  my  own  creation.  But  I  will  be  a  fool 
no  longer.  I'll  know  all  about  it  to-morrow."  Thus 
he  sat  with  his  heart  full  of  happy  hopes  and  bright 
schemes  for  the  future,  crossed  occasionally  by  slight 
misgivings  lest,  after  all,  there  might  be  some  mistake, 
until  Betsey  came  in  to  summon  him  to  tea. 

"  James,"  said  his  mother,  at  the  tea-table,  "  what 
was  the  matter  with  Sam  this  afternoon  ?  He  came 
in  and  left  a  quarter  of  a  deer  that  he  said  he  killed  up 
in  the  woods  yesterday  ;  and  he  seemed  to  be  be- 
witched. He  talked  so  queer  that  I  was  afraid  he  had 
been  drinking." 

"  O  no,  mother,  Sam's  sober  as  a  judge.  But  what 
did  he  say  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  I  declare.  He  didn't  say  anything 
that  I  can  remember.  But  he  seemed  chock-full  of 
something." 

"  Sam's  all  right.  He  came  in  to  me  from  here  ;  and 
he  said  nothing  that  you  would  find  fault  with,  I'm 
sure." 

"  Well,  you're  acting  just  like  him,  James.  What 
makes  you  look  so  sly  ?  You  and  he  are  getting  up 
some  prank.  You're  in  a  regular  tantrum,  James." 

"  I  in  a  tantrum,  mother !  and  I  to  be  a  deacon  one 


252  SAM  SHIRK: 

of  these  days  !  If  Sam  and  I  play  any  prank,  it  will 
not  be  anything  that  will  vex  you,  I  assure  you, 
mother." 

"  Well,  you  young  men  are  wild  creatures." 

"  O  no,  only  on  suitable  occasions,"  replied  Butler, 
laughing.  "  We  can  be  very  exemplary  at  times,  as 
I  hope  to  convince  you  before  long." 

"  I  don't  find  any  fault '  with  you,  my  son  ;  but  you 
love  to  puzzle  me  sometimes." 

"  I  am  more  bent  on  unriddling  a  puzzle  just  now, 
dear  mother,  than  on  getting  up  one.  If  I  make  any 
pleasant  discoveries,  be  sure  you  shall  know;  them." 

The  next  morning,  after  breakfast,  James  ordered 
his  horse  and  rode  off,  saying  to  his  mother  that  he 
might  not  be  back  till  evening.  She  asked  no  ques- 
tions, though  she  saw  something  was  in  the  wind. 
But  neither  her  perspicacity  nor  energy  sufficed  to  fur- 
nish even  a  probable  guess  ;  so  she  sat  down  to  her 
needle-work  in  that  patient  wonderment  that  filled  up 
so  much  of  her  existence. 

Meanwhile,  James  urged  his  good  horse  over  the 
rough,  snowy  road  towards  Mr.  Wilmot's.  The  diffi- 
culties of  the  way  consumed  two  hours  of  impatient 
struggle,  before  he  reined  him  up,  sweating  and  panting, 
before  the  door.  Mr.  Wilmot  shook  his  hand  cordially, 
and,  calling  his  man  to  take  the  animal  to  the  stable, 
conducted  him  into  the  house. 

"  Well,  James,"  said  Mrs.  Wilmot,  "  this  is  the  first 
visit  you  have  paid  us  for  some  months.  But  I  am 
very  glad  to  see  you,  notwithstanding." 

Butler  reciprocated  the  welcome,  and  pleaded  rather 
awkwardly  the  numerous  calls  upon  his  time,  ending 
by  a  glance  towards  Mary,  who,  unable  to  escape  from 
the  room  from  the  suddenness  of  his  arrival,  had  sunk 


A.  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS   OF  MAINE.         253 

pale  and  trembling  into  a  chair  by  the  window,  where 
she  attempted  to  seem  busy  with  her  work.  At 
James's  look  she  arose,  and,  with  a  faint  smile,  extended 
her  hand  ;  but  though  her  lips  moved,  she  did  not  ar- 
ticulate a  word.  James,  glancing  searchingly  into  her 
face  for  an  instant,  pressed  the  offered  hand,  and  said, 
in  a  voice  to  be  heard  by  her  alone,  "  Are  you  glad 
to  see  me  too,  after  so  long  a  time  ?  "  A  struggling 
tear  was  the  only  answer,  and  she  extricated  her  hand 
from  his,  and  rushed  out  of  the  room.  Her  departure 
was  unnoticed  amid  the  vociferous  attentions  of  the 
children,  which  Butler  good-naturedly  encouraged,  in 
spite  of  their  mother's  remonstrances,  until  he  dis- 
persed the  young  guerrillas  in  happy  quietude,  by  the 
help  of  some  packages  of  sugar-plums  from  his  pockets. 

After  the  interchange  of  numerous  friendly  inquiries 
and  replies,  Mr.  Wilmot  excused  himself,  to  attend  to 
his  out-door  concerns,  saying,  as  he  went  out,  "  You 
must  stay  to  dinner,  James,  at  least ;  I  have  much  to 
say  to  you."  His  wife  too,  remarking  the  absence  of 
her  daughter  for  the  first  time,  made  her  apologies. 

"  I  must  go  and  see  that  you  get  a  decent  dinner. 
Mary  must  have  gone  into  the  kitchen  on  the  same 
errand.  I  will  send  her  to  entertain  you  meanwhile." 
But  James  had  kept  a  better  reckoning  of  Mary's 
whereabouts.  He  went  to  the  outer  door,  and  calling 
to  him  her  little  sister,  said  to  her,  nodding  his  head 
toward  the  door  of  the  opposite  room,  "  Go  ask  Mary 
if  she  will  take  a  short  walk  with  me,  Sue."  After  a 
few  minutes,  Mary  joined  him,  with  her  furred  cloak 
upon  her  shoulders,  and  her  hood  drawn  close  over  her 
face.  They  walked  a  short  distance  in  silence,  when 
Butler,  gently  arresting  her  steps,  turned  to  his  com- 
panion. 


254  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  Mary,  have  I  been  acting  like  a  fool  ?  have  you 
promised  to  be  the  wife  of  any  one  ?  " 

"  No,"  she  faintly  murmured,  and,  if  she  intended 
to  say  more,  it  was  drowned  in  a  burst  of  tears. 

"  And,  if  I  ask  you  to  be  mine,  will  you  say  no  ?  " 

A  pair  of  happy  blue  eyes  shone  out,  for  an  instant, 
through  the  dropping  tears,  and  a  low  voice  replied, 
"  O  James  !  " 

The  answer  certainly  was  not  very  explicit ;  but 
Butler  seemed  to  understand  it  perfectly,  for  he  gath- 
ered her  to  his  bosom,  where  all  ambiguity  was  ex- 
plained in  a  language  intelligible  wherever  love  is. 
They  hid  themselves  and  their  happiness  deeper  yet 
in  the  little  glade  of  firs,  within  the  edge  of  which 
they  were  standing ;  and  there,  seated  on  a  fallen  log, 
with  the  bright  March  sun  showering  its  warmth  around, 
and  the  soft  south  wind  whispering  its  benison  among 
the  spiry  tops  above  them,  they  spent  in  sweet  retro- 
spection and  sweeter  anticipations  one  of  those  hours 
as  rare,  alas,  as  they  are  blest.  For  inexorable  time 
is  always  scowling  grudgingly  at  the  bright  things 
of  earth,  that  only  lack  immortality  to  make  it  heaven. 
A  bell,  rung  at  the  door  of  the  cottage,  summoned 
them  from  their  peculiar  paradise  ;  and  closing  the  fond 
colloquy  in  the  same  delicious  language  in  which  it  was 
begun,  they  rejoined  their  friends  at  the  dinner-table. 

Mrs.  Wilmot  looked  up  at  the  young  people  as  they 
entered ;  and  read,  instantly,  in  the  daughter's  eyes, 
what  had  been  the  employment  of  their  absence.  She 
smiled  softly  in  return  to  Mary's  hurried  glance,  and 
said  nothing.  But  her  father,  with  masculine  direct- 
ness, called  out  from  the  head  of  the  table,  "  Well, 
Mary  girl,  have  you  and  James  been  strolling  in  the 
woods,  as  you  used  to  do  years  ago?  You  haven't 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        255 

looked  so  rosy  and  like  yourself  since  you  came  home. 
I  hope  you  have  earned  a  good  appetite."  Mary  did 
not  stop  to  answer  her  father,  but  rushed  away,  blush- 
ing, to  take  off  her  cloak  and  hood ;  and  it  was  some 
time  before  she  returned,  composed,  but  radiant  with 
quiet  happiness. 

An  hour  passed  after  dinner  in  varied  chat,  when 
James  declared,  in  spite  of  earnest  solicitation,  that  he 
must  start  for  home.  While  the  children  ran  off  with 
their  father  to  see  the  noble  bay  bridled  and  saddled, 
Mrs.  Wilmot  discreetly  left  the  lovers  alone  again  for 
some  moments. 

"  Now,  dear  Mary,"  said  James,  "  there  will  be  no 
more  clouds  between  us  and  happiness.  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  see  you  again  for  a  week  or  more,  I  am 
afraid ;  but  I  will  come  up  as  soon  as  I  can,  and 
mother  will  want  you  to  go  back  with  me,  and  finish 
the  visit  you  began  last  August." 

"  O  James,  never  speak  of  that  wretched  time 
again ! " 

The  arrival  of  the  horse,  with  Mary's  eldest  brother, 
perched  as  grand  as  a  field-marshal  upon  the  saddle, 
and  quarreling  with  his  father's  careful  supervision, 
interrupted  them  once  more.  What  was  left  unsaid, 
was  necessarily  compressed  into  a  single  word  of  that 
mysterious  tongue  to  which  we  have  already  alluded : 
and  James  rode  light-hearted  homeward. 

'  "  Now,  mother,"  said  he,  as  he  sat  down  to  the  tea- 
table,  which  he  found  awaiting  his  arrival,  "  I  have 
a  puzzle  for  you  that  will  please  you.  Mary  Wilmot 
is  not  engaged  to  the  Kennebec  minister ;  but  she  is 
engaged  nevertheless." 

The  good  lady,  we  know,  was  no  (Edipus  ;  and  she 
stared  at  her  son,  as  if  all  the  sphinxes  of  antiquity 
stood  between  them  on  the  tea-table. 


256  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  Mary  Wilmot  is  not  engaged  to  her  cousin,  and 
yet  she  is  engaged  to  him !  how  can  that  be,  my 
son?" 

"  I  didn't  say  precisely  that,  mother.  She  is  not 
engaged  to  him,  but  she  is  engaged  to  —  guess,  mother ! 
Well,  to  me." 

His  mother  looked,  for  a  minute,  as  if  one  of  the 
imaginary  sphinxes  threatened  to  swallow  her ;  then 
she  toddled  round  to  her  son,  and  fell  upon  his  neck, 
sobbing  with  surprise  and  joy.  When  the  unusual 
emotion  allowed  her  to  speak,  she  asked  with  wonted 
simplicity,  — 

"  How  did  you  find  out  all  that,  James?  " 

"  She  told  me  herself,  mother.  So  you  may  depend 
upon  it,  it's  all  correct.' 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.         257 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

UNDER  Butler's  judicious  and  kindly  supervision, 
time  had  passed  away  profitably  for  Sam  Shirk,  not- 
withstanding Deacon  Hardy's  sinister  predictions. 
His  barn  was  full,  his  cellar  was  full,  and  his  head  was 
full  of  new  ideas  and  new  hopes.  When  winter  had 
brought  a  cessation  of  farming  processes,  the  labor  of 
his  coadjutor  was  quite  sufficient  to  provide  for  all  the 
necessary  wants  of  the  household. 

McKim  was  one  of  those  plodding  bodies  that  lived 
only  to  travel  a  daily  round,  out  of  which,  he  had  no 
tastes  or  inclinations  to  gratify.  To  work  when  he  had 
anything  to  do,  and  to  do  nothing  when  the  work  was 
finished,  completed  the  narrow  sphere  of  his  existence. 
He  was  one  of  those  human  machines  that  drudge 
on  unflinchingly  while  the  steam  is  let  on,  but  when 
work  hours  are  over,  and  the  fires  put  out  for  the  day, 
subside  in  an  instant  into  an  inert  and  motionless 
quiet. 

His  junior  partner  was  just  the  reverse  of  all  this. 
He  would  not  work,  if  he  could  conscientiously  help  it ; 
and  the  moment  he  could  reasonably  leave  off,  he  was 
full  of  a  thousand  schemes  wherewith  to  relieve  the 
monotony  of  his  compulsory  industry.  The  result  of 
their  different  temperaments  was  an  admirable  har- 
mony of  movement  in  the  internal  economy  of  their 
joint  concerns.  Sam  would  patiently  drudge  along 
17 


258  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  his  father-in-law,  while  matters  imperiously  re- 
quired exertion,  allowing  him,  we  must  acknowledge, 
as  large  a  share  of  the  common  toil  as  he  was  inclined 
to  assume.  When  the  hour  of  leisure  arrived,  the  old 
man  sat  himself  down  with  his  pipe,  in  the  chimney- 
corner  or  on  a  log  out  of  doors,  ready  to  bring  wood 
and  water  or  meet  any  other  trifling  emergency  that 
might  occur  ;  while  Sam  directly  sought  relaxation,  by 
what  he  termed  "getting  up  some  kind  of  a  slant,"  or, 
if  any  very  piquant  amusement  was  on  hand,  "  a  regu- 
lar time." 

The  forest  being  the  usual  scene  of  Shirk's  recrea- 
tion, his  play  was  hardly  less  profitable  than  his  sen- 
ior's more  systematic  motions.  Seldom  was  the  larder 
without  a  fat  partridge  or  a  jolly  haunch  of  venison, 
whenever  Sam  could  find  time  to  get  a  stroll  in  the 
woods.  In  his  idle  days  such  employment  had  been 
habitual  to  him ;  for,  in  his  laziest  mood,  he  never  re- 
garded a  tramp  of  forty  or  fifty  miles  for  his  own  pleas- 
ure as  a  hardship,  though  an  hour's  work  upon  com- 
pulsion might  have  gone  against  his  grain.  Moreover, 
Sam  was  a  perfect  sportsman.  He  knew,  as  well  as 
any  man,  where  to  find  his  game,  and  how  to  catch  it. 
The  bodily  labor  undergone  in  sporting,  to  men  of  such 
a  stamp,  is  a  very  different  thing  from  patient  and  con- 
tinuous industry.  Indeed,  they  seem  to  hate  the  one 
very  much  in  proportion  as  they  love  the  other.  So, 
one  fine  morning  in  early  March,  Shirk  took  down  his 
rifle  from  the  pegs  over  the  chimney,  and,  with  a  sup- 
ply of  provisions  and  ammunition,  started  off  "  a  hunt- 
ing." The  newly  risen  sun  shone  brightly  on  the  snow, 
and  the  vapors  hung  in  light  fleecy  clouds  over  the 
distant  ocean,  as  it  sent  up  its  caloric  in  fog  into  the 
colder  atmosphere.  All  ai-ound  the  horizon  else  was 


A    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        259 

clear  as  crystal ;  and  the  air  was  sharp  and  bracing. 
Sam  strode  vigorously  along,  singing  as  he  went,  in 
pleasure  at  his  emancipation  from  bondage.  In  less 
than  three  hours  he  had  crossed  the  "  barrens,"  where 
for  miles  the  land  lay  devoid  of  any  but  the  most 
stinted  vegetation,  and  struck  into  the  edge  of  the  for- 
est that  still  stretches,  almost  unbroken,  to  the  St. 
Lawrence. 

He  had  not  proceeded  far  from  this  point  when  he 
perceived  another  pedestrian  travelling  in  the  same  di- 
rection along  the  winding  track,  whom  he  soon  recog- 
nized as  James  Butler.  The  latter  stopped  at  Sam's 
hail,  and  stood  leaning  upon  his  rifle  till  he  came  up. 
Shirk  paused,  before  he  spoke,  to  cast  a  glance  of 
friendly  admiration  upon  Butler.  Few  men  exhibited 
a  fairer  picture  of  manly  power  and  beauty.  Tall  and 
slender,  but  muscular  and  well  developed,  his  thick 
frock,  lined  with  otter-skins,  displayed  to  advantage 
his  firm  and  graceful  figure.  His  fur  cap  was  thrown 
back  from  his  high  forehead  ;  and  his  dark  waving 
hair,  fresh  brown  cheek,  and  hazel  eye  bright  with 
youthful  buoyancy,  his  clearly  cut  mouth,  whose  well- 
defined  and  slightly  compressed  lips  expressed  both  en- 
ergy and  pride,  and  an  aquiline  nose  with  full  nostrils 
breathing  of  high  spirit  and  daring,  composed  a  mien 
at  once  attractive  and  imposing.  While  Sam  gazed 
in  simple  satisfaction  at  the  handsome  youth,  James 
responded :  — 

"  You  here,  Sam  ?  going  to  scare  the  deer  round 
old  Humpback,  hey  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  but  I  might  before  I  get  back 
to  the  Falls.  I've  been  a  haulin'  up  next  summer's 
wood  this  three  weeks  back ;  and  now  I'm  bound  to 
have  a  little  sport.  It  does  me  good  to  see  you  in  the 


260  SAM  SHIRK: 

woods  again,  James.  What  sport  we  had  with  them 
wolves  last  fall,  didn't  we  ?  When  you  was  a  boy,  — 
and  you  an't  much  more  yet  in  p'int  of  age,  —  you 
used  to  love  to  go  out  with  me  now  and  then." 

o 

"  Indeed  I  did,  Sam.  And  I  feel  right  pleased  to 
get  back  among  the  trees  again.  I  feel  more  at  home 
here  yet  than  in  the  towns  on  the  Bay." 

"  That's  right,  by  jingo  !  Those  folks  in  the  towns 
do  nothing  but  drudge  behind  counters,  and  sich  likes, 
all  day  long.  I'd  as  lief  be  in  jail,  and  done  with  it, 
myself.  But  I  guess  you're  travelling  up  this  way  for 
more  than  runs  in  the  woods.  You're  bound  for  Mr. 
Wilmot's,  I  rather  conclude." 

A  frank  laugh  admitted  the  surmise  to  be  true  ;  and 
James,  who  had  not  divulged  to  any  but  his  mother 
his  late  visit  to  Mr.  Wilmot's,  now  told  his  errand, 
without  reserve,  to  his  unceremonious  but  respectful 
companion. 

"  Well,  that's  all  right.  I  was  sure  it  would  be. 
I  want  to  see  you  and  Miss  Mary  married.  It's  a 
handy  thing  to  have  a  good  wife.  There's  Jenny, 
saves  me  a  world  of  trouble,  and  keeps  me  as  snug  as 
a  fox  in  a  woodchuck's  hole.  Jest  look  at  those  mit- 
tins.  I  didn't  use  to  have  such  mittins  as  them." 

"  No,  Sam,  your  worldly  affairs  have  improved 
decidedly  ;  and  I'm  glad  you  feel  the  advantage." 

"  Yes,  it's  a  sight  better,  and  I  hope  to  improve  yet. 
Your  ma'am's  been  the  making  of  me ;  and  I  shall  try 
to  do  something,  —  to  please  her,  if  nothing  else.  But 
that  Jem  Sharpe,  he  plagues  me  some  ever  since  that 
pig  scrape.  Did  I  ever  tell  you  about  the  pig  ?  " 

"  No,  but  my  mother  has,"  replied  James,  laughing. 

"  O,  the  old  lady  did  ?  and  she  made  it  pretty  hard 
agin  me,  I  don't  doubt.  Never  mind,  she's  a  right  to  ; 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        261 

but  I  shouldn't  like  to  hear  anybody  else  say  much  about 
it.  But  Jem  makes  me  all  the  trouble  he  can  ;  and  I 
take  care  that  sha'n't  be  much.  He  hurts  himself 
most,  pretty  generally.  His  works  always  put  me  in 
mind  of  a  story  I've  heard  of  a  Paddy  that  went  out  a 
gunning  one  day,  and  got  sight  of  a  red  squrril.  So  he 
chucks  in  five  or  six  fingers  of  powder  with  a  handful 
of  shot  on  top  on't,  and  blazes  away  at  the  squrril, 
that  was  crackin'  nuts  on  a  log.  Bang,  bang !  went 
the  gun,  and  away  went  Paddy,  heels  over  head, 
almost  stunded  to  death.  Away  went  the  crittur  too, 
chippin',  chippin'  along  the  logs  a  piece,  and  then  turns 
round  to  see  who's  comin'.  So  Paddy  he  picked  him- 
self up,  and  looked  at  him  a  spell ;  and  when  he  got  a 
little  to  rights,  he  begun  to  think  as  how  he'd  come 
out  at  the  little  end  of  the  horn.  So  says  he,  *  Ah, 
the  divil  take  ye,  ye  good-for-nothing  varmint !  If 
you'd  been  at  my  eend  of  the  gun,  ye'd  niver  gone  off 
with  your  bothered  chickery,  chickery,  chirree.'  So 
I  think  it  commonly  is  with  Jim.  He  won't  make 
much  out  of  me ;  I  an't  at  all  consarned.  It's  vexa- 
tious, for  all  that." 

"  That's  a  pretty  good  story,  Sam,  and  a  good 
moral.  But  what's  that?  Don't  I  hear  a  moose 
bleating  ?  " 

"  That's  what  it  is,  certain  sure.     Hold  on  a  bit." 

Sam  put  his  fingers  to  his  mouth,  and  produced  a 
perfect  imitation  of  the  strange  sound,  betwixt  a  bellow 
and  a  bleat,  that  had  attracted  their  attention. 

"  Well  done.  Now,  if  he'll  answer  you,  we'll  soon 
beat  him  up." 

They  listened  a  moment,  and  the  strange  sound  was 
heard  again. 

"  He's  about  half  a  mile  off,"  said  Shirk.     "  Most 


262  SAM  SHIRK: 

likely  there's  a  yard  on  'em  about  here  ;  for  they  can't 
travel  far  with  this  crust.  It  an't  hard  enough  to  bear 
them,  though  it  will  hold  up  you  and  me.  The  snow 
is  jest  right  for  a  moose-hunt.  It's  lucky  we  left  the 
road  out  yonder  to  cut  across  here." 

"  They  are  to  windward,"  replied  Butler  ;  "  and  if 
we  move  carefully,  we  shall  soon  find  out." 

"  Look  away  yonder,  down  the  swale  at  that  thick 
cedar  swamp.  It's  about  the  direction  of  the  call ;  and 
if  there's  a  yard  of  them,  they  will  be  there,  I  think." 

"  I  think  so  too.  Let's  go  that  way.  I'll  keep  up 
the  talk  with  him." 

The  sportsmen  moved  steadily  towards  the  spot 
designated.  Now  and  then  Shirk  repeated  his  call, 
which  was  answered  with  due  courtesy  by  their  game  ; 
and  it  became  more  and  more  certain  that  the  re- 
sponses came  from  the  swamp  Butler  had  pointed  out. 
Having  nearly  reached  the  spot,  they  halted  in  a  thick 
clump,  and  listened  carefully. 

"  If  it  was  a  single  one,  he  would  have  moved 
before  now,"  whispered  Butler.  "  The  sound  comes 
always  from  the  same  spot.  It  must  be  a  yard,  and 
the  chap  does  not  like  to  come  out.  Look  to 
your  priming,  Sam,  and  then  we'll  creep  on  till  we 
can  see  something.  We  don't  need  any  spectacles  to 
see  a  moose." 

They  now  proceeded  cautiously  forward,  dodging 
from  cover  to  cover,  till  Sam,  who  was  slightly  in 
advance,  halted  and  signed  to  Butler  to  come  up 
where  he  stood,  behind  a  huge  pine. 

"  There  they  are  !  "  whispered  he. 

The  horns  of  one  of  the  stately  animals,  though  not 
yet  full-grown,  —  for  the  moose,  like  other  deer,  sheds 
his  horns  annually  about  the  month  of  November,  — 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        263 

could  be  seen  above  a  thicket  of  low  birches  in  their 
front.  They  soon  saw  that  a  number  of  them  were 
moving  about  in  the  same  neighborhood.  The  large 
head  and  heavy  muzzle  of  a  male  were  perfectly  visible 
through  an  opening  among  the  bushes ;  and  Shirk  lev- 
elled his  gun  and  fired.  The  head  of  the  animal  disap- 
pearing at  the  report,  he  rushed  through  the  copse-wood, 
exulting  in  his  supposed  success.  Butler  followed  him 
directly,  hoping  to  obtain  a  shot  at  another  before  the 
herd  had  dispersed ;  but,  as  he  emerged  from  the 
thicket,  his  attention  was  occupied  in  an  unexpected 
manner.  The  moose  was  standing  at  bay  in  one  of 
the  paths  trodden  out  by  the  herd,  the  blood  dropping 
from  a  flesh-wound  through  the  neck,  with  his  eye  flash- 
ing and  his  forefoot  pawing  the  ground.  Rage  and 
pain  had  converted  the  inoffensive  and  timid  creature 
into  a  furious  belligerent.  As  he  saw  Butler  come  up, 
he  dropped  his  head,  made  a  dash  at  Shirk,  and,  taking 
him  up  fairly  on  his  horns,  started  off  at  full  speed. 
Astonished  and  alarmed,  Butler  paused  a  moment  in 
perplexity. 

"  Shirk  must  be  fatally  bruised  and  crippled  among 
the  trees,  if  that  furious  beast  does  not  gore  or  trample 
him  to  death,"  thought  he.  "  I  must  try  a  nice  shot ; 
and  Heaven  help  my  aim  this  time !  " 

James  then  dropped  upon  his  knee  and  took  a  care- 
ful aim  along  the  barrel  of  his  rifle.  The  moose  had 
already  attained  a  distance  of  more  than  a  hundred 
yards.  Still  Butler  hesitated  to  pull  the  trigger. 
Although  his  heavy  burden  did  not  seem  to  diminish 
the  speed  of  the  animal  in  the  least,  it  compelled  him 
to  carry  his  head  horizontally,  instead  of  thrown 
upward  and  back,  as  is  their  wont.  The  body  of  Sam 
and  the  head  and  body  of  the  deer  offered,  therefore, 


264  SAM  SHIRK: 

one  straight  line,  when  seen  from  behind.  The  fearful 
proximity  of  the  human  form  to  the  range  of  his  rifle 
appalled  Butler,  and  his  hand  shook  with  agitation. 
The  moose  was  now  rushing  directly  for  a  close  and 
heavy  growth  of  large  trees,  among  which  it  was 
apparent  that  a  person  in  Sam's  situation  must  be 
almost  immediately  maimed,  if  not  destroyed  by  a  hid- 
eous and  painful  death. 

"  Better  be  shot  than  that,"  said  Butler  to  himself. 
"  I  must  do  my  best,  and  trust  it  to  Providence." 

Steadying  himself  by  a  severe  effort,  he  took  a  quick 
but  careful  aim,  and  fired.  His  ball  struck  precisely 
as  he  wished,  under  the  fore  shoulder  of  the  moose,  and 
brought  him  to  the  ground.  Sam  was  pitched  off  sev- 
eral yards  in  the  fall,  while  the  deer  lay  disabled  and 
helpless. 

James  hardly  dared  look  through  the  smoke  to  see 
the  effect  of  his  shot ;  but  as  he  perceived  the  fortunate 
result,  "  Thank  God !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  I  have  done 
it."  Before  he  could  rise  and  get  fairly  on  his  way, 
he  was  relieved  from  all  anxiety,  by  seeing  Sam  upon 
his  feet  and  approaching  his  fallen  enemy  from  the 
other  side.  When  Butler  came  up,  Sam  had  cut  the 
animal's  throat,  and  then,  at  his  leisure  shaking  his  fist 
at  his  huge  head,  apostrophized  him  in  the  following 
speech :  — 

"  You  bloody  scamp  you,  who  told  you  I  wanted  a 
ride,  free  gratis,  for  nothing  ?  " 

"  Why,  Sam,  I  think  you  have  no  reason  to  complain. 
You've  got  no  harm  but  a  fright ;  and  this  poor  beast 
is  paying  dearly  enough  for  that." 

"  No,  I  won't  grumble.  But  if  it  wa'n't  for  that 
handsome  shot  of  yours,  I  might  have  been  pounded 
into  a  jelly  or  torn  into  shoe-strings  by  this  time." 


A    TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.         265 

"  What  sort  of  a  cradle  did  the  old  fellow's  horns 
make,  Sam  ?  " 

"  Why,  not  so  awful  bad.  It  would  have  been 
worse  if  they  had  been  full-grown.  A  pillow  or  two 
would  have  improved  it,  anyhow.  And  just  look,  at 
my  frock ;  it  is  torn  clean  in  halves.  Blast  him !  he 
scooped  me  up  just  as  a  boy  takes  up  a  lump  of  sugar 
in  'a  spoon.  I  wonder  what  Jenny  will  say  about  that 
coat ;  it's  bran  new,  and  an  all-fired  good  one." 

"  I  guess  Jenny  '11  say  you  don't  know  how  to  keep 
out  of  mischief.  You  were  careless,  Sam.  A  moose 
isn't  to  be  played  with  very  safely,  when  his  temper  is 
up.  I  think,  that  for  an  old  hunter,  you  were  very 
stupid  to  stand  gaping  at  one  with  an  empty  gun,  and 
not  a  tree  near  you  to  dodge  behind." 

"  Well,  it  rather  looks  like  it.  I  must  own  up,  I 
suppose.  But  what's  to  be  done  with  my  horned  horse 
here  ?  " 

"  I  think  we  must  leave  him,  and  get  Mr.  Wilmot 
to  send  out  a  hand-sled  and  bring  him  there.  It's  but 
a  few  miles  off." 

"  Can't  do  better.  He's  too  heavy  for  us  to  manage, 
altogether.  Let  them  take  what  they  want ;  and  if  we 
can  get  a  chance  to  send  part  of  him  down  to-morrow, 
we  can  do  it." 

"  Let  us  examine  a  little,  Sam,  before  we  start. 
I've  a  notion  of  looking  in  on  this  drove  again,  a  day 
or  two  hence.  There's  a  large  herd  of  them.  See 
their  paths  !  they  are  trodden  as  hard  as  the  highway. 
They  make  a  great  circuit  too.'' 

"  That's  so.     And    thev're  safe  enough  while   the 

*  O 

snow  is  deep,  and  there's  a  good  three  foot  of  it  here 
in  the  woods  yet.  They  wont  stir,  at  least  while  this 
crust  lasts.  It  would  cut  their  shins  up  as  bad  as  a 


266  SAM  S 


knife.  They  can't  travel  in  it  far.  Bob  Riley  went 
out  yesterday  afore  breakfast,  and  found  a  yard  of  deer 
about  two  miles  from  his  house,  with  thirteen  in  it. 
lie  cut  the  throats  of  the  whole  lot  with  his  pocket- 
knife,  just  as  if  they'd  been  sheep  in  a  barn-yard. 
They  jumped  out  into  the  deep  snow,  one  after  another, 
as  he  came  up  to  'em,  and  went  down  through  up  to 
their  bellies,  so  that  they  couldn't  lift  a  leg  through 
the  crust,  no  more  than  if  they'd  been  planted  in  the 
ground." 

"  That's  too  much  like  butchering,  Sam.  I  like  to 
give  everything  a  chance.  Let  a  deer  have  his  legs 
and  his  horns  against  our  arms  and  rifles,  and  it  seems 
something  like  fair  play.  I  don't  know  that  the  differ- 
ence is  really  much  ;  but  I  wouldn't  murder  them  in 
cold  blood,  when  they  could  neither  run  nor  fight." 

The  two  now  inspected  the  spot  around  them,  and 
soon  satisfied  themselves  that  their  conjectures  were 
correct.  They  found  a  large  space  of  forest  intersected 
with  paths  in  all  directions,  beaten  hard  by  the  constant 
passage  of  the  animals.  The  boughs  of  the  young 
trees  were  nibbled  off  everywhere  within  reach,  the 
yard  having  probably  been  occupied  by  them  ever 
since  the  snow  had  accumulated  to  a  depth  sufficient 
to  render  moving  about  laborious.  According  to  the 
habit  of  their  species,  they  had  remained  together 
within  the  space  comprehended  by  the  labyrinth  of 
tracks  which  they  had  made  and  kept  open,  in  their 
daily  search  for  the  small  twigs  of  the  trees  and  bushes 
upon  which  they  subsist  when  the  surface  of  the  ground 
is  buried  under  its  wintry  covering.  The  extent, 
number,  and  hardness  of  the  beats,  with  the  damage 
inflicted  by  their  browsing  upon  the  spray  of  the 
smaller  growth,  proved  the  herd  to  be  numerous. 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       267 

Having  noted  the  situation  and  character  of  the  ground 
sufficiently  to  guide  any  future  operations,  the  travel- 
lers turned  to  regain  their  road. 

O 

It  was  not  long  before  they  reached  the  point  where 
Butler's  destination  led  him  into  a  direction  divergent 
from  that  of  his  companion  ;  and  they  halted  for  a  mo- 
ment to  take  leave  of  each  other. 

"Here's  the  path  to  Mr.  Wilmot's,"  said  Shirk. 
"  Now  good  luck  to  you,  James.  Miss  Maiy's  a  nice 
girl ;  she  an't  like  some  of  'em,  not  got  wit  enough  to 
last  'em  over  night ;  and  she's  none  too  good  for  James 
Butler  neither.  I'll  just  look  round  old  Humpback, 
and  I  guess  I'll  be  along  time  enough  to  go  down  with 
you  to-morrow,  for  I  don't  mean  to  camp  a  great  ways 
out.  What  time  will  you  be  starting  for  the  Falls  ?  " 

"  Bright  and  early,  I  think.  It's  a  long  walk,  you 
knowr,  for  a  woman,  and  we  can't  ride.  A  horse 
couldn't  get  along  at  all.  So  be  about  here  early  in 
the  forenoon,  and  we  shall  probably  meet." 

"  Well,  I'll  make  my  calculations  according.  I 
should  like  to  keep  you  and  Mary  company  down.  So 
good-day." 

Less  than  an  hour's  walk  brought  Butler  to  the 
homestead  of  Mary  Wilmot's  father.  A  field  had 
been  felled  and  cleared  in  the  bosom  of  the  dense  for- 
est, and  now  stood,  like  a  solitary  square  upon  a  huge 
checker-board,  surrounded  by  its  walls  of  lofty  trees, 
in  strong  relief  from  the  rest  of  the  landscape. 
Sparkling  with  the  rays  of  the  winter  sun  gleaming 
upon  its  snowy  surface,  as  one  emerged  into  the  open- 
ing and  glanced  around  at  the  deep,  shadowy  bordei 
that  encompassed  it  everywhere,  it  seemed  like  step- 
ping out  of  one  world  into  another.  And  so  indeed  it 
was.  One  foot  of  the  traveller  rested  within  the  un- 


268  SAM  SHIRK: 

disturbed  limits  of  Nature's  empire,  while  tlie  other 
fell  upon  the  domain  of  man.  Behind,  lay  hill  and  val- 
ley, brook  and  river,  moss  and  stone,  land  and  wood, 
as  they  came  from  the  hand  of  the  Creator ;  unchanged 
in  the  whole,  though  silent  and  powerful  instruments 
were  constantly  displacing  and  renewing  every  part. 
Not  a  trace  was  to  be  found,  in  all  that  quiet  and  sol- 
emn scene,  of  active  and  apparent  agency.  The  fallen 
trunk  mouldered  away  in  solitude  and  dim  silence;  and 
equally  noiselessly  and  imperceptibly  the  sapling  rose, 
out  of  its  decay,  into  the  majestic  proportions  of  its 
predecessor.  The  brooks  ran  on  in  shadow,  and  the 
river  glistened  in  the  light  that  penetrated  here  and 
there  to  its  secluded  bosom,  as  they  had  done  from  the 
birth  of  time :  apt  emblems  of  all  around, —  always 
the  same  to  the  sense,  yet  continually  changing  in  every 
particle ;  continually  passing  away,  and  continually 
renewed.  , 

Before,  spread  the  picture  of  man's  activity,  where, 
upon  a  limited  space,  human  toil  and  care  had 
moulded  the  scene  to  their  own  purposes ;  banishing  the 
lone  and  melancholy  grandeur  of  Nature  for  the  bus- 
tle and  the  changes,  the  shift  and  restlessness,  of  civil- 
ization. Behind,  lay  a  world  of  unbroken  monotony. 
Before,  was  an  ant-hill,  teeming  with  life  and  eager 
with  anxious  devices,  with  the  instruments  and  the 
results  of  labor  visible  everywhere  around. 

With  a  hurried  step,  the  youth  crossed  the  clearing, 
threading  his  way  along  the  path  that  wound  among 
the  blackened  stumps  that  protruded  from  the  snow. 

Mr.  Wilmot's  dwelling  was  a  simple  log-house, 
though  larger  and  more  commodiously  finished  than 
the  ordinary.  But  within  it,  luxury  was  necessarily 
unknown,  and  mere  taste  little  regarded.  In  the  infant 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         269 

stages  of  a  settlement,  it  tasks  the  industry  of  the  pio- 
neer of  civilization  severely,  for  a  while,  to  procure 
even  the  necessaries  of  life.  The  rich  and  poor  are, 
in  such  cases,  nearly  on  a  level ;  for  it  is  impossible  to 
transport  the  elegancies  of  refinement  into  such  situa- 
tion!, even  where  the  means  exist  of  procuring  them. 
Hence  the  cradles  of  our  towns  and  villages  are  hum- 
ble and  rude.  But  as  grass  lands  and  harvests  succeed 

O 

the  forest  and  the  blackened  and  sooty  clearing,  roads 
are  formed,  and  cattle  stray  where  the  bear  and  wolf 
have  roamed ;  and  neat  homes  and  well-appointed 
households  take  the  place  of  the  rough  arrangements 
that  meet  the  primary  necessities  of  existence. 

As  her  father  had  lately  left  a  more  cultivated  region, 
and  was  abundantly  able  to  procure  for  his  family  all 
that  circumstances  allowed,  Mary  Wihuot  was  by  no 
means  uneducated  or  vulgar,  though  her  home  was 
in  the  heart  of  the  wilderness.  She  was  modest  and 
unpretending,  and  her  manners  simple,  but  refined. 
Above  want  or  the  need  of  subserviency,  a  native  dig- 
nity was  apparent  through  her  simplicity.  Natural 
politeness  and  grace  were  the  necessary  results  of  a 
good  heart  and  mind,  unchecked  by  any  feeling  of  in- 
feriority, yet  devoid  of  the  hauteur  of  birth  and  fash- 
ionable pride.  Cheerful  mirth  beamed  from  her  quiet 
blue  eye  ;  and  the  bright  forehead  that  shone  beneath 
her  dark  hair,  the  cheek  where  the  wild  rose  dwelt  in 
health  and  beauty,  the  expressive  mouth  and  intelli- 
gent countenance,  all  spoke  of  womanly  worth,  sweet- 
ness, and  purity,  though  untuned  to  courtly  phrase  and 
unshapen  by  the  arbitrament  of  fashion.  A  gentle 
voice  and  a  sweet  smile  completed  in  her  a  lovely  and 
attractive  personality. 

As  Butler  approached  the  dwelling,  the  young  girl 


270  SAM  SHIRK: 

we  have  just  sketched  came  out  from  the  door  of  the 
rough  building  that  sheltered  the  domestic  animals  of 
the  farm,  with  the  milk-pail  in  her  hand  ;  for  she  had 
never  learned  that  to  be  useful  was  any  derogation 
from  the  character  of  a  lady.  The  bright  apparition 
attracted  the  young  man's  eye  immediately ;  and  his 
hasty  step,  changing  its  direction,  soon  placed  him  at 
her  side. 

The  long  intimacy  and  perfect  confidence  now 
happily  reestablished  between  the  lovers,  perhaps  di- 
vested their  intercourse  of  something  of  the  restless  ro- 
mance of  a  less  assured  attachment ;  but,  in  the  eager 
and  burning  glance  of  the  youth  and  the  downcast 
but  happy  expression  of  the  maiden,  it  was  easy  to 
read  that  both  were  wrapt  in  that  glowing  and  deli- 
cious dream  which  youth  and  passion  can  lend  to  life 
but  once,  — the  absorbing,  all-controlling  rush  and  con- 
centration of  feeling  which,  once  over,  can  never  be 
recalled ;  but  is  gradually  softened  to  a  more  sober  and 
worldly  happiness,  or  doomed  to  sadden  into  disap- 
pointment and  apathy.  Engrossed  with  the  joy  of 
meeting,  their  hearts  were  their  world,  and  for  exter- 
nal things  they  had  neither  eye  nor  thought. 

Alas  !  that  other  and  contaminated  influences  should 
always  await  those  who  pass  the  threshold  of  life, 
that  clouds  should  gather  in  the  sunny  sky  of  the 
inexperienced,  that  trouble  and  anxiety  should  distill, 
drop  by  drop,  into  the  cup,  turning  the  sparkling 
draught  into  bitterness  !  It  is  a  glorious  but  brief  de- 
lusion that  ushers  us  into  the  uncertain  and  wayward 
paths  of  manhood.  Happy  is  he  who  can  carry  within 
his  breast,  living  and  warm,  even  a  feeble  glimmering 
of  his  early  hopes,  and  bear  about  with  him  a  remnant 
of  the  buoyancy  and  confidence  of  youth,  to  be  a  talis- 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        271 

man  against  disappointment  and  vexation,  and  a  cordial 
to  cheer  the  fainting  spirit  in  the  midst  of  vicissitude 
and  woe.  But  the  gladsome  season  when  two  young 
and  pure  hearts  worship  in  trustful  affection,  being  to 
themselves  the  shrine  and  the  sweet  incense, — pre- 
cious, golden  hours  of  undimmed  faith,  how  short  is 
your  promised  eternity !  Fidelity  and  unwavering  trust 
may,  indeed,  be  a  sure  and  welcome  staff  to  our  weary 
steps,  as  we  advance  upon  our  pilgrimage ;  but  where 
are  the  roseate  garlands  that  wreathed  it, — where 
the  Promethean  fire  that  sparkled  from  the  boy-god's 
pinions  ? 

But  few  moments  were  allowed  the  lovers  to  indulge 
undisturbed  the  feelings  that  held  them  entranced. 
The  guest  soon  attracted  the  attention  of  the  younger 
population  of  the  house ;  and  they  dragged  the  pair  in 
among  them,  emulating  with  their  boisterous  welcome 
the  loud  barking  with  which  honest  Sancho  hailed 
James's  well-known  face.  Here  Butler  met  a  more 
sedate,  but  not  less  cordial  reception,  and  was  soon 
seated  quietly  by  Mary's  side,  answering  the  inquiries 
of  Mr.  Wilmot  respecting  the  far-off  scenes  of  the 
metropolis,  while  the  children  stood  gaping  round,  as 
if  he  were  returned  from  the  Pyramids  or  the  sources 
of  the  Nile.  Railroads  and  steamers  had  not  yet  lent 
their  aid  to  locomotion,  and  a  journey  to  Boston  was 
an  event  of  no  small  moment.  Huge  logs  were  piled 
into  the  fire-place,  that  yawned  like  a  cave  on  one  side 
of  the  room  ;  while  the  curiosity  of  the  elders  and  the 
wonder  of  the  small  fry  were  abundantly  fed  by  But- 
ler's patient  responses.  The  farmer  repaid  his  guest 
by  discussions  of  the  weather,  dissertations  upon  crops, 
and  shrewd  remarks,  moral,  political,  and  philosophical, 
upon  the  topics  suggested  by  the  conversation.  Be- 


272  SAM  SHIRK: 

fore  the  family  parted  for  the  night,  it  was  settled  that 
Mary  should  accompany  her  lover  on  the  morrow  to 
the  village,  and  that  her  family  should,  within  a  week 
or  two,  also  come  down  to  grace  her  wedding. 

All  laid  their  heads  upon  their  pillows  in  content 
and  happiness ;  and  early  morning  found  them  assem- 
bled at  the  breakfast-table.  The  meal  over,  the  affi- 
anced pair  set  out  upon  their  walk.  The  distance 
would  have  been  sufficiently  alarming  to  a  city  miss, 
being  not  far  from  sixteen  miles  through  the  forests. 
But,  with  materials  for  a  light  dinner  in  her  bag  car- 
ried upon  Butler's  arm,  the  actively  nurtured  girl 
started  with  foot  as  light  as  her  heart,  and  fearless  in 
her  confidence  in  her  companion ;  for  when  a  pure 
and  truly  womanly  nature  surrenders  itself  into  the 
arms  of  its  chosen  life-companionship,  it  is  with  a  feel- 
ing of  trustfulness  and  unhesitancy,  not  less  secure  and 
full  than  the  deeply  religious  spirit  finds  in  its  reliance 
upon  divine  Providence.  The  strong  arm  upon  which 
the  maiden  fondly  leans  her  feebler  frame  and  all  her 
hopes,  seems  to  her  scarcely  less  sure  than  the  power 
of  Omnipotence  itself. 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        273 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

THE  sun  shone  clear  and  bright  upon  the  tree-tops, 
and  its  rays  streamed  through  the  foliage  of  the  ever- 
greens and  the  bare  trunks  of  the  hard-wood  growth, 
upon  the  even  covering  of  snow  that  lay  several  feet 
deep  upon  the  earth.  The  thaw  had  converted  the 
surface,  as  we  have  said,  into  a  crust  capable  of  bear- 
ing a  man's  weight ;  so  that  the  travellers  proceeded 
without  difficulty  in  all  directions,  over  the  tops  of  the 
small  bushes  and  undergrowth  that  were  mostly  buried 
beneath  the  frozen  surface.  The  arrowy  stems  of  the 
red  pines,  flashing  back  the  light  from  their  purple 
bark,  and  the  dark  gray  white  pines,  still  loftier  and 
larger  than  the  former,  rose  in  myriad  columns  around 
them,  like  pillars  of  variegated  porphyry.  The  thick 
blunt  tassels  of  the  former  species,  and  the  longer  and 
more  delicate  spray  of  the  latter,  were  dancing  in  the 
light  breeze  that  played  over  and  among  their  summits, 
while  all  below  was  calm  and  still.  The  slaty  trunks 
of  the  spotted  beech,  the  yellow  birch  with  the  golden 
fringes  of  its  outer  bark,  the  white  birch  shrouded  in 
its  blanched  envelope,  and  the  rough  and  stately  ma- 
ples, rose  in  magnificent  proportions,  spreading  their 
leafless  branches  among  the  verdant  canopies  that  clus- 
tered umbrella-like  over  the  tall  timber-trees.  Occa- 
sionally a  huge  hemlock  mingled  the  deep  and  shadowy 
green  of  its  long,  drooping,  and  feathery  boughs  with 
18 


274  SAM  SHIRK: 

the  yellowish  tints  of  the  spruces,  or  the  rich  and 
glossy  hues  of  the  fir,  whose  foliage  turned,  ever  and 
anon,  its  pearly  reverse  to  the  eye,  like  bronze  lined 
with  silver,  as  gusts  of  air  swept  down  the  deep  vistas 
of  the  woods. 

There  is  not  in  nature  a  more  magnificent  scene 
than  the  primitive  forest.  '  There  are  the  stupendous 
heights  and  illimitable  distances,  the  variety  of  form 
and  color,  all  softened  and  chastened,  by  the  depth  of 
shade,  into  a  picture  of  solemn  majesty ;  while  here 
and  there,  in  each  little  glade,  a  flush  of  sunshine  pours 
into  the  bosom  of  the  twilight  wood,  forming  contrasts 
rich  and  beautiful  beyond  description.  The  regular 
pyramids  of  green  of  the  silver  firs  or  young  spruces 
fill  the  lower  portion  of  the  diorama,  intermixed  with 
the  slender  and  drooping  stalks  of  the  underwood. 
Next  rise  the  hard-wood  trees,  a  hundred  feet  or  more 
into  the  air  ;  and  over  all,  the  pine-tops  spread  like 
vast  chandeliers,  a  tassel  of  living  green  dangling 
from  the  extremity  of  every  twig,  and  seeming  almost 
to  reach  the  sky,  which  they  nearly  shut  out  from  view. 
The  whole  sombre  and  solemn  mass,  penetrated  and 
penciled,  here  and  there,  by  glimpses  of  the  upper  air, 
makes  a  world  of  mystery  and  solitude  that  impresses 
and  overwhelms  the  sense  with  a  feeling  of  beauty  and 
of  awe. 

The  lovers  walked  briskly  on  among  the  aisles  of 
the  forest,  too  much  absorbed  with  themselves  to  be 
very  attentive  to  the  objects  around  them,  or  to  the 
distance  passed  over.  The  red  squirrels,  as  they  sat 
upon  the  stumps  that  peered  in  dark  and  mouldering 
ruin  through  the  snow,  enjoying  the  straggling  beams 
of  the  sun  and  searching  out  the  seeds  in  the  cones  of 
the  resinous  trees,  threw  down  their  treasures,  and 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        275 

scudded  up  the  nearest  trunk,  themselves  and  their 
saucy  chirruping  alike  unnoticed.  Even  had  a  deer 
broken  away  from  his  browsing,  or  a  stately  moose  or 
swift  caribou  been  seen  throwing  his  nose  into  the  air, 
and  pausing  to  take  one  eager  gaze  at  the  intruders,  it 
would  hardly  have  tempted  James  to  use  his  rifle. 
Before  the  forenoon  was  much  advanced,  six  or  eight 
miles  were  left  behind  by  the  elastic  steps  of  the  young 
travellers.  Before,  however,  they  had  reached  the 
point  where  Butler  expected  to  fall  in  with  Sam,  the 
spare  and  nervous  figure  of  Shirk  was  seen  approach- 
ing them,  at  the  long  and  steady  trot  often  used  by  the 
Indians  when  passing  rapidly  through  the  woods.  He 
halted  as  he  came  up,  and,  wiping  his  forehead  with  his 
sleeve,  drew  a  few  long  breaths  to  refresh  his  lungs, 
and  spoke  without  the  ceremony  of  a  good-morning. 
"  Blame  the  luck,  that  I  couldn't  have  met  you  before. 
There's  a  pack  o'  tarnal  Indians  after  us  ;  and  it'll  be 
a  hard  job  to  get  clear  of  'em  with  Mary.  If  you  and 
I  was  alone,  we'd  give  'em  a  hard  time  ;  but  now 
we're  in  a  bad  fix.  But  don't  be  frightened,  Miss 
Mary  ;  that'll  only  make  matters  worse." 

"  Indians,  Sam  !  "  replied  Butler  in  a  tone  of  alarm  ; 
and  "  Indians  !  "  echoed  Mary  faintly,  —  her  cheek 
growing  pale  as  ashes. 

"  Yes,  Indians,  —  Iroquois,  confound  'em  !  But  we 
an't  got  any  time  to  throw  away.  We  can't  get  back  to 
Mr.  Wilmot's,  as  you'll  know  when  I  tell  you  about 
it.  So  let's  be  makin'  tracks  !  We  must  push  for 
the  Falls  ;  and  maybe,  when  we  get  lower  down,  we'll 
fall  in  with  somebody  to  help  us." 

Shirk  then,  taking  the  lead  of  the  little  party,  pro- 
ceeded at  a  sharp  pace  to  the  southward.  Butler  fol- 
lowed, supporting  with  more  solicitude  than  ever  his 


276  SAM  SHIRK: 

companion,  who  was  able,  though  still  trembling  with 
apprehension,  to  keep  up  with  Sam's  rapid  pace  with 
the  efficient  and  careful  aid  of  her  lover's  arm.  As 
they  moved  along,  Sam  thus  proceeded  in  his  narra- 
tive : 

"  You  see,"  said  he,  "  I  was  lying  on  a  deer-path, 
watching  for  deer,  when  along  came  an  Indian,  and 
sat  down  within  two  or  three  rods  of  me.  I  kept  snug, 
and,  in  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  four  more  came  up, 
and  sat  down  with  him.  I  knowed  by  their  talk  and 
paint  they  was  Canada  Indians ;  for  I  learnt  a  lit- 
tle of  their  lingo  from  an  old  feller  that  used  to  keep 
about  Merrifield  a  good  deal.  I  sot  a  good  deal  by 
him  ;  for  he  taught  me  to  make  paddles  and  snow- 
shoes,  and  arrows,  and  the  like  o'  that.  He  was  a  mas- 
ter feller  for  such  things.  Well,  I  watched  'em,  like 
a  snake  ;  and  I  soon  found  out  that  the  one  that  came 
along  first  had  been  over  to  Mary's  father's,  peepin' 
round.  I  suppose  he  was  after  stealing  something  if 
he  could.  He'd  found  out  you  was  about  starting 
down  along  ;  so  he  comes  to  hunt  up  the  rest  and  way- 
lay you.  These  British  Indians  an't  forgot  the  deviltry 
they  used  to  carry  on  in  the  war-time  yet.  I  don't 
know  as  they  mean  to  do  any  worse  than  to  plunder 
you ;  but,  blast  'em !  they  mustn't  have  a  chance, 
nohow.  So,  thinks  I,  here's  a  pretty  how  d'ye  do  ! 
and  I  begun  to  think  how  I  could  get  off  and  let  you 
know  time  enough  to  turn  back.  Right  behind  me 
was  a  cedar  swamp,  and  a  steep  bank  leading  down  to 
it.  So,  you  see,  I  started  to  creep  off  on  my  belly; 
and,  as  I  kept  the  thicket  atween  them  and  me,  I  got 
fairly  down  and  across  the  swamp.  Then  the  devils 
saw  me,  and  took  after  me.  Of  course  I  made  tracks 
quick.  They  gave  me  a  hard  one  for  about  two  miles ; 


A   TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        277 

and  I  thought  my  scalp  was  gone  for  it.  But,  in  a 
long  pull,  a  white  man  '11  beat  an  Indian  ;  and  there 
an't  many  legs,  red  or  white,  that  '11  go  faster  or  farther 
than  mine.  I'm  used  to  trampin'.  I  led  'em  off  your 
track  all  I  could,  to  give  you  time  to  get  by  'em.  So 
we  got  over  onto  the  ridge  alongside  the  lake,  and  there 
I  gave  'em  the  slip  ;  for  I  know'd  the  country  best, 
and  made  down  a  brook,  where  they  couldn't  track  me 
on  the  ice,  and  got  back  here.  Now,  after  they  quit 
me,  I  saw  'em  strike  off  to  the  westward,  for  when 
they'd  fairly  lost  my  track,  I  went  back  a  piece  to  find 
out  their  motions.  They  wouldn't  come  out  far  this 
side  of  Mr.  Wilmot's  ;  but  when  they  find  you've 
passed,  they'll  be  after  us  like  a  streak  of  lightnin'." 

At  this  exposition  of  Sam's,  James's  features  showed 
symptoms  of  his  grave  apprehensions  for  his  beloved 
charge,  though  for  himself,  bred  among  such  dangers, 
he  would  have  been  less  disturbed.  Mary's  face  was 
pale  as  death,  and  the  compressed  lip  and  fixed  ex- 
pression of  the  eye  showed  that  terror  had  wrought  a 
painful  effect  upon  her  mind.  Yet  she  bore  up  bravely 
against  her  womanly  feelings.  A  few  moments  of  si- 
lence followed  ;  for  all  were  aware  that  it  was  an  hour 
of  extreme  and  pressing  peril,  whose  suddenness  be- 
numbed by  its  first  shock  ;  and  there  seemed  no  refuge 
or  chance  of  escape  apparent,  to  cheer  or  revive  their 
spirits.  Butler  looked  anxiously  at  Mary,  and  thought 
of  the  probable  issue  of  this  race,  perhaps  for  life  or 
death,  with  dread  almost  unmingled  with  the  slightest 
tinge  of  hope.  A  glance  was  exchanged  between 
them  full  of  contradictory  and  excited  sentiment.  The 
love,  hope,  and  confidence,  that  a  few  moments  before 
filled  their  young  hearts  to  the  exclusion  of  all  doubts 
or  apprehensions,  tumultuously  struggled  now  with 


278  SAM  SHIRK: 

horrible  fears.  The  happiness  whose  exulting  fresh- 
ness had  raised  them  far  above  suspicion  of  mishap, 
was  brought  violently  down  to  a  startling  and  painful 
reality.  But,  though  joy  had  fled,  confidence  and 
hope  revived,  as  the  first  shock  of  surprise  and  dread 
passed  away.  Recovering  his  elasticity  and  coolness, 
James  pressed  Mary's  hand  encouragingly,  though  he 
dared  not  trust  his  voice,  at  the  moment,  to  speak  to  her, 
and  turned  to  Sam,  to  hold  counsel  as  to  their  course. 

"  What  shall  we  do,  Sam  ?  " 

"  Run  while  we  can,  and  then  fight  'em,"  said 
Shirk  coolly. 

"  But,"  rejoined  Butler,  his  countenance  again 
clouding  over  in  view  of  the  cruel  embarrassments  of 
their  situation,  "  what  use  to  talk  of  running  away 
from  five  Indians  with  Mary  ?  She  will  never  hold  out 
to  reach  the  settlement ;  and,  if  it  comes  to  a  brush, 
they  are  too  many  for  us.  O  God  !  that  she  should 
be  here.  Sam,  you  must  leave  us  and  hurry  down  as 
quickly  as  you  can.  I  will  get  Mary  along  as  fast  as 
possible,  and  try  to  hold  the  hounds  at  bay  till  you  get 
back  with  help.  But  don't  lose  a  minute  ;  we  shall 
be  able  to  push  as  low  down  as  Schoodic  Brook,  at 
least." 

Sam  pushed  back  his  cap,  and  looked  at  Butler  with 
a  glance  of  astonishment,  while  he  whistled  out  a  long 
low  "  whew  "  between  his  teeth. 

"  James  Butler,  that  won't  do.  Come  back  with 
help  !  we  might  come  back  in  time  to  bury  you,  to  be 
sure.  No,  James,  that  won't  do,  nohow  at  all." 

"  Well,  Sam,  and  what  good  can  you  do  us  ?  we  two 
can't  fight  five  ;  and  if  you  can't  save  us,  you  will  save 
yourself.  So  go,  and  we'll  get  along  as  fast  as  we  can. 
I  shall  hide  Mary  somehow,  if  compelled,  and  fight  it 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        279 

out  to  the  last.  You'll  be  back  in  season  yet,  with 
some  of  our  friends.  They  won't  be  slow  on  the 
road,  I  know.  Perhaps,  too,  you'll  meet  somebody  not 
far  below.  One  good  rifle,  with  yours  and  mine, 
would  give  us  a  decent  chance." 

"  It's  no  use  saying  any  more,  James  Butler.  Come 
cut,  come  long  tail,  I  don't  quit.  I  should  be  ashamed 
to  look  anybody  in  the  face  after  it.  Besides,  don't 
you  feel  so  downcast ;  we'll  get  Mary  off  safe  enough 
yet.  There  an't  but  three  of  'em's  got  guns.  You 
used  to  be  a  dead  shot ;  and  I  an't  slow  with  a  rifle  my- 
self. If  worst  comes  to  worst,  we'll  give  'em  a  hard 
one.  Don't  be  frightened,  Miss  Mary  ;  but  keep  up 
your  heart  and  push  along,  as  well  as  you  can,  to  hold 
out.  It  won't  do  any  good  to  be  gabbling  here.  We 
must  try  to  throw  'em  off  our  trail,  and  hide  till  night- 
fall, and  then  be  off  again.  They  must  be  some  ways 
behind  us  yet.  But  we  can't  tell  exactly.  I'll  keep 
an  eye  on  the  back  track,  and  you  see  to  Mary,  James, 
and  push  on  smart." 

"  So  be  it  then,  Sam ;  and  I  can't  say  but  I'm  glad 
enough  of  your  company  in  this  scrape,  for  Mary's 
sake.  Let  us  hasten  on  and  keep  quiet  then." 

The  trio  now  travelled  on  in  silence  at  a  rapid  walk, 
Shirk  bringing  up  the  rear,  whence  danger  was  to  be 
first  apprehended.  Two  or  three  miles  were  thus 
rapidly  traversed,  when  Sam  said  to  his  companions  in 
a  low  and  more  cheerful  tone,  "  I'll  do  it  now,  I  guess. 
If  we  can  get  another  half  mile  before  they  sight  us, 
we'll  cheat  'em." 

He  then  briefly  explained  his  plan  to  Butler,  who 
assented  to  its  prudence ;  and,  encouraged  by  the 
whisperings  of  hope,  the  brisk  pace  was  still  quickened, 
till  they  stood  within  sight  of  a  long  reach  of  low 


280  SAM   SHIRK; 

ground,  overflowed  by  the  rains  and  now  covered 
with  ice.  "  There,"  said  Sam  exultingly,  "  there  we'll 
baffle  'em." 

They  paused  upon  the  brow  of  a  ridge,  at  the  foot 
of  whose  steep  declivity  commenced  the  stretch  of  in- 
terval land,  now  converted  into  an  unbroken  frozen 
plain,  through  which  rose  the  trunks  of  trees  and 
bushes  in  thickets  which  made  it  impervious  to  the 
sight  for  any  considerable  distance.  Butler's  eye 
glistened  with  joy  as  he  saw  this  labyrinth  of  swamps, 
which  he  well  knew  was  of  great  extent,  spreading  out 
before  them  a  road  which  would  convey  no  hint  of  the 
direction  of  their  flight  to  pursuers. 

Sam  pointed  out  to  them  the  long  trunk  of  a  fallen 
tree,  which  lying  down  the  hill-side  connected  with 
the  edge  of  a  small  ravine,  where  a  temporary  torrent 
made  its  way,  in  the  thaws  and  rains,  down  to  the 
swamp,  and  which  was  now  congealed  in  a  series  of  min- 
iature cascades  and  slopes,  till  it  reached  the  bottom. 
They  had  for  some  time  been  treading  carefully  in  each 
others'  tracks,  making  but  one  impression,  and  that  a 
faint  one,  on  the  hard  crust,  as  they  hoped  here  to 
mystify  their  enemies. 

"Keep  on  that  log  and  get  into  the  run,  and  so 
down  into  the  swamp  ;  and  don't  touch  any  snow  any- 
where for  your  lives,"  said  Sam. 

Scarcely  were  the  words  out  of  his  mouth  when  he 
again  spoke,  but  in  a  subdued  whisper :  "  Down,  down  ! 
There's  one  of  the  devils  comin'.  Here,  James.  Let 
Mary  creep  carefully  down,  and  you  come  up  here. 
We  must  stop  this  feller's  mouth." 

James  spoke  a  few  words  of  encouragement  to  the 
poor  girl,  now  again  pale  and  trembling  with  renewed 
fear,  and  gave  her  some  directions  for  her  descent; 

7  O  y 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         281 

then,  pushing  his  rifle  before  him,  crept  along  the 
trunk  of  the  tree  till  he  stood  again  by  Sam's  side ; 
both  being  protected  from  observation  of  any  one  in 
front  by  the  huge  circular  mass  of  roots  and  earth 
turned  up  by  its  fall. 

"  I  saw  the  rascal  away  yonder,  just  comin'  along 
by  that  bend  of  the  river  that  we  crossed.  You  can 
see  about  ten  feet  of  the  ice  between  the  trees ;  and  I 
set  my  eyes  right  on  him,  folio  win'  the  track  head 
down,  like  a  hound  dog.  I  guess  he's  ahead  of  the 
rest.  I  didn't  see  any  more ;  and  I've  been  watchin' 
the  spot  ever  since.  He'll  be  up  in  five  or  ten  min- 
utes ;  and  we  must  fix  him  out  somehow.  But  look 
here,  James :  best  get  Mary  out  o'  this ;  for  if  we  have 
to  fire,  we  must  run  for  it  afterwards,  or  our  plan  is 
spoilt.  They'll  come  after  us  like  race-horses  now. 
Do  you  see  the  big  rock  down  by  that  crooked  cedar, 
jest  ahead  of  Mary  now  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Well,  run  down  to  her,  and  carry  her  to  that  rock. 
Then  look  about  nor'east,  and  you'll  see  a  large  yeller 
pine  top,  higher,  by  twenty  feet,  than  any  round  it. 
Tell  her  to  steer  straight  for  that,  and  hide  on  the 
edge  of  the  ice  ;  don't  let  her  touch  the  snow,  on  no 
account.  We'll  come  right  along  to  her,  after  this 
feller's  taken  care  of.  It's  considerable  far  for  her  to 
go  alone,  but  it's  the  only  chance.  You  and  I  must 
make  after  her,  when  we  do  start,  as  tight  as  we  can 
scamper.  If  she  can  get  there  as  quick  as  we  can 
catch  up,  I  guess  we'll  do." 

James  leaned  his  gun  against  the  matted  roots  that 
rose  like  a  broad  shield  before  them,  and  crept  again 
down  the  bank  to  join  Mary.  As  they  moved  rapidly 
on  towards  the  rock,  he  cautioned  her  to  exert  her  ut- 


282  SAM  SHIRK: 

most  activity,  and  to  brace  herself  to  meet  the  emer- 
gency with  the  resolution  that  alone  could  extricate 
them.  As  they  turned  round  the  huge  and  mossy 
boulder,  they  easily  distinguished  the  lofty  tree-top 
mentioned  by  Sam,  looming  like  a  tall  mast  above  the 
general  level. 

"  Do  you  see  that  tall  pine,  dear  Mary  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  do,  James." 

"  Well,  dearest,  go  straight  to  that  tree  as  fast  as  you 
can.  Tread  only  on  solid  ice,  —  don't  touch  a  morsel 
of  snow.  When  you  get  there,  conceal  yourself  as 
well  as  you  can ;  but  keep  always  on  the  ice.  We 
will  soon  overtake  you." 

"  Must  I  go  alone,  then,  dear  James  ?  " 

"  It  must  be  so,  Mary.  Sam  and  I  will  hold  the 
savages  in  check,  till  you  are  across  the  swamp.  It  is 
not  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile ;  we  shall  join  you 
soon.  Come,  Mary  dear,  cheer  up,  and  God  protect 
you !  " 

He  stopped  and  kissed  her  pale  cheek.  She  turned 
with  a  look  of  anguish  to  her  lover,  but  replied  with 
a  firm  voice,  "  I  will  go,  James ;  it  will  not  take  me 
long.  I  am  accustomed  to  the  woods,  you  know. 
But,  O  !  come  quickly ;  be  careful,  be  a  coward  even, 
for  my  sake,  James.  What  shall  I  do,  if  any  harm 
happens  to  you  ? '' 

James  threw  once  more,  around  the  being  so 
precious  to  him,  an  embrace  that  both  felt  might  be 
the  last,  and  murmured  in  her  ear,  "  Mary  dear,  be- 
loved Mary,  I  will  be  with  you  again  in  ten  minutes, 
if  it  be  possible.  We  can  hear  your  voice,  if  anything 
happens  ;  but  they  must  be  behind  us  ;  we  shall  be  be- 
tween you  and  harm.  Now  go,  and  Heaven  be  with 
you!  "  The  young  lovers  now  parted,  in  mutual  an- 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.       283 

guish  and  with  racking  anxiety  for  the  dangers  which 
overhung  each,  and  which  would  have  been  less  intim- 
idating, could  they  have  been  shared  in  company.  To 
part  was,  to  both,  the  loss  of  their  best  reliance,  and 
trusting  to  chance  and  out  of  their  own  reach  their 
dearest  treasure.  Leaving  Butler  was  to  poor  Mary, 
especially,  to  throw  away  the  staff  that  upheld  her 
tottering  steps ;  and  as  she  moved  away  alone,  terror 
and  reluctance  almost  uncontrollable  overwhelmed  her 
with  a  flood  of  misery.  Tears  dropped  fast  from  her 
eyes ;  but,  with  a  whispered  prayer,  the  noble  girl 
walked  firmly  and  swiftly  to  the  designated  point,  and 
never  looked  once  behind  her. 

The  stouter  heart  of  Butler  was  not  less  dejected,  as 
he  left  her  to  traverse  the  forest  alone,  while  savages 
were  hanging  round  their  path.  Silently  and  briefly 
commending  her  to  Providence,  he  turned  and  quietly 
crept  up  again  to  the  cover  where  Sam  maintained  his 
watch,  and  resumed  his  faithful  rifle. 

Shirk  was  peeping  cautiously  through  a  small  loop- 
hole formed  by  the  intertwining  roots,  where  the  gravel 
and  soil  had  fallen  out  from  between  them.  As  his 
companion  rejoined  him,  he  said  to  him  in  a  whisper,  — 

"  Can't  we  contrive  to  cut  that  feller's  throat  ?  If 
we  fire,  it  will  give  a  hint  to  the  others  and  hurry  them 
on ;  perhaps  this  feller  is  the  only  one  on  the  track  yet. 
Time  is  everything  for  Mary,  you  know." 

"It  must  be  done,"  replied  Butler.  "Sam,  do  you 
keep  your  rifle  on  the  path ;  and,  if  another  comes  up 
before  this  one  is  disposed  of,  you  will  be  obliged  to 
shoot  him.  I  have  my  hunting-knife  about  me,  and 
will  jump  on  this  chap  and  stab  him  before  he  knows 
it.  Don't  you  stir  unless  you  see  I  can't  master  him  ; 
but  watch  the  track,  and  don't  let  any  of  them  get  past 
•is." 


284  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  Never  fear,  James.  But  be  cool.  Let  him  have 
it  right  in  the  throat  or  between  the  ribs,  and  push  him 
over  if  you  can.  I'll  give  him  a  settler  on  the  head, 
if  you  don't  kill." 

This  arrangement  made,  the  pair  sat  mute  and  mo- 
tionless ;  Sam's  eye  bent  through  his  convenient  port- 
hole and  Butler  keeping  a  sharp  watch  upon  either 
side.  Once  he  turned  to  the  quarter  where  Mary  was 
retreating ;  but  the  trees  had  long  shut  out  every  pos- 
sibility even  of  a  glimpse  of  her,  and  lie  bent  his  whole 
attention  to  the  crisis  at  hand.  In  a  few  moments  the 
Indian  appeared  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge,  his  eye  now 
bent  down  to  keep  the  track,  and  then  glancing  keenly 
and  widely  round  to  catch  any  indication  of  life  or  mo- 
tion. He  paused  a  moment  at  the  base  of  the  hill  and 
listened  intently  before  ascending,  reconnoitring  also 
with  sharp  and  distrustful  looks  the  natural  rampart 
that  sheltered  the  objects  of  his  pursuit.  Not  a  sound 
was  to  be  heard,  and  the  native  resumed  his  advance. 
His  moccasined  foot  gave  out  no  echo,  but  the  vigilant 
Sam  signified  all  his  motions  to  Butler  by  signs. 
James  now  sat  crouching  on  the  trunk,  his  long  hunt- 
ing-knife glistening  in  his  grasp,  and  his  muscles  gath- 
ered in  for  an  instant  bound  upon  his  foe.  As  the 
savage  approached  the  wall  of  roots  that  covered  the 
ambuscade,  his  habitual  caution  led  him  to  edge  away 
a  pace  or  two,  from  the  possible  danger.  The  faithful 
sentinel,  however,  gave  Butler  intimation,  by  a  gesture 
of  his  hand,  and  he  summoned  all  his  energies  for  the 
coup  de  main.  His  eye,  fixed  steadily  upon  the  point 
where  the  Indian  must  first  appear,  flashed  with  a  stern 
excitement,  while  his  cheek  was  pale  with  anxiety  and 
a  natural  reluctance  to  the  painful  but  necessary  act. 
The  instant  the  savage  circled  round  the  buttress,  the 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        285 

youth  sprang  upon  him,  with  a  tremendous  leap  ;  and, 
although  the  precaution  of  the  Indian  had  given  him 
the  opportunity  to  guard  himself,  in  some  measure, 
against  the  attack,  he  succeeded  in  burying  his  knife 
in  the  side  of  his  antagonist.  The  sudden  shock 
knocked  from  the  hand  of  the  Indian  the  gun  which  he 
carried  ;  but  the  wound  was  not  fatal,  and  Butler  could 
not  extricate  the  weapon  before  he  felt  himself  clasped 
tightly  in  the  embrace  of  his  sinewy  enemy.  Shirk 
stood  by  the  while,  with  rifle  raised,  ready  to  pour  its 
deadly  volley,  if  circumstances  required. 

The  native  and  the  youth  struggled  hard  for  a 
moment  or  two  ;  the  former  to  get  his  hands  upon  the 
scalping-knife  that  hung  in  his  girdle  and  Butler  to  pre- 
vent it.  James,  at  length,  feeling  the  grasp  of  his  foe 
growing  feebler,  tripped  up  his  heels  with  a  strenuous 
effort,  and  threw  him  backward  upon  the  snow.  For 
a  short  space  they  writhed  and  twisted  in  deadly  con- 
tention ;  but  at  last  Butler  succeeded  in  planting  him- 
self immovably  upon  the  breast  of  the  Indian,  whose 
strength  was  rapidly  failing  from  the  effects  of  his 
wound ;  and  grasping  firmly  with  one  hand  the  arm 
by  the  side  of  which  the  knife  was  hung,  compressed 
his  tawny  throat  with  the  other,  with  a  strength  that 
choked  his  respiration.  After  an  ineffectual  attempt 
to  reach  the  knife  with  the  left  arm  that  was  wound 
around  Butler's  body,  he  was  compelled  by  faintness 
and  exhaustion  to  give  over  his  efforts.  Shirk,  who 
had  been  hovering  round  in  vain  to  strike  a  blow  with 
the  butt  of  his  gun,  improved  instantly  the  opportunity 
to  snatch  the  knife  from  the  belt,  and  drew  with  it  a 
deadly  gash  across  the  throat  that  was  held  motionless 
in  James's  grasp.  A  convulsive  shudder  ran  over  the 
dark  frame,  and  the  limbs  relaxed  their  fibres  forever. 


286  SAM  SHIRK: 

Butler  sprang  up  unharmed  from  the  perilous  en- 
counter, Sam  quietly  slipping  the  fatal  knife  into  his 
pocket. 

"  It's  good  stuff,  and  I  may  want  it  agin  yet.  Now, 
James,  take  up  the  chap's  gun.  There  an't  but  two 
more  of  'em's  got  guns  ;  and  if  they  do  overhaul  us, 
with  three  shots  all  handy,  I  think  we'll  do  considera- 
ble well  with  t'other  four.  It's  a  terrible  pretty  fowl- 
ing-piece too,  an  English  one.  Well,  that  poor  devil's 
done  for.  Now  we  must  be  moving,  and  pretty  smart 
too.  But  first  I'll  take  the  chap's  wampum :  the 
women  will  like  it." 

The  two  friends  then  quitted  the  bloody  scene  of 
the  fray ;  and  moving  carefully  down  the  old  trunk  that 
had  done  them  so  good  service,  and  thence  to  the 
frost-bound  rivulet,  they  landed  safely  upon  the  level 
of  the  swamp,  without  leaving  any  trace  whatever  of 
their  passage.  Having  reached  the  solid  ice,  they 
crossed  the  interval  at  a  rapid  pace,  and  soon  gained 
the  farther  shore.  Here  Butler  clasped  with  delight, 
in  his,  the  hand  of  Mary,  who  came  to  meet  them 
from  the  midst  of  a  thicket  of  young  cedars.  She 
heard  the  story  of  the  encounter  with  a  shudder ;  and 
James  felt,  with  unalloyed  ecstasy,  the  warm  pressure 
of  the  hand  that  expressed  her  joy  at  his  safety. 
Meanwhile  they  followed  up  a  long  cove,  as  it  were, 
formed  by  the  inundation  of  the  waters,  till  higher 
land,  on  either  side,  confined  again  within  its  proper 
limits  the  course  of  a  large  brook,  whose  swollen  cur- 
rent had  filled  the  basin  which  they  had  just  crossed, 
during  the  freshets  of  the  fall  and  winter.  Journeying 
on  for  some  distance  up  the  little  stream,  they  came 
upon  a  sharp  bend,  inclosed  on  every  side  by  a  dense 
growth  of  alders  and  small  trees,  and  overhung  by 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.       287 

huge  rocks  on  either  bank.  The  whole  formed  a  little 
amphitheatre,  where  the  party  could  be  exposed  to  no 
eye  from  without  the  circle.  A  large  windfall  was 
stretched  across  the  stream,  at  the  outlet  of  this 
inclosure.  The  cakes  of  ice  had  driven  over  the 
trunk  of  the  tree  during  the  freshet,  and  hung  sus- 
pended there,  as  the  surface  of  the  pond  above  fell 
with  the  decrease  of  the  flood.  Winter  had  now 
locked  up  the  springs  that  fed  the  channel,  and  a  fee- 
ble rivulet  stole  down  the  centre  of  the  bed,  leaving 
a  dry  and  airy  hall,  carpeted  with  withered  leaves  or 
strewn  with  gravel,  three  or  four  feet  under  the  crys- 
tal roof  that  spread  from  bank  to  bank.  The  fracture 
of  the  mass,  where  it  lay  raised  at  the  upper  end  upon 
the  fallen  log,  left  an  opening  at  one  corner,  by  which 
an  easy  entrance  was  afforded  to  this  snug  retreat. 
As  the  ice-cakes  shelved  up  the  stream,  it  could  not 
attract  the  attention  of  any  one  from  below ;  the  aper- 
ture being  overhung  as  with  a  pent-house  and  wind- 
ing snugly  round  the  end  of  the  trunk,  whose  bleached 
and  battered  mass  seemed,  to  hasty  observation,  com- 
pletely to  close  the  hollow.  The  fugitives,  under  the 
guidance  of  Sam,  crept  over  the  edge  of  the  ice  and 
through  the  narrow  door-way,  down  into  the  channel 
of  the  brook,  along  which  they  easily  moved,  by 
stooping,  past  a  bend  of  the  stream  which  intercepted 
entirely,  by  the  sudden  change  of  course,  all  view 
from  the  passage  by  which  they  entered.  There 
James  and  Mary,  scraping  together  the  dried  leaves 
for  a  rude  couch,  sat  themselves  snugly  down  behind 
the  projecting  point ;  and,  with  her  warm  cloak  drawn 
closely  round  her,  they  reclined  against  the  bank  quite 
comfortably  and  at  their  ease.  The  cold  air  was  shut 
out,  and  the  ceiling  of  their  hiding-place  stretched 


288  SAM  SHIRK: 

across  just  above  their  heads,  admitting  a  sober  and 
pleasant  light,  though  fortunately  not  so  transparent 
as  to  betray  them  from  above.  Shirk  gathered  up  a 
bunch  of  leaves,  and,  returning  to  the  entrance,  sedu- 
lously effaced  and  covered  up  all  traces  of  their  pas- 
sage ;  and,  having  completed  his  precautions  at  the 
point  behind  which  they  were  concealed,  he  too  qui- 
etly stretched  himself  out,  to  enjoy  the  rest  that  he 
now  began  to  feel  acceptable  to  his  weary  limbs. 

"  Now  you  mustn't  speak  too  loud,  though  they 
will  be  sharp  ears  to  hear  us  through  a  foot  of  solid 
ice,  and  sharp  eyes  to  see  us  too,  for  this  is  snow  ice, 
for  three  inches  on  the  top,  luckily  for  us.  If  it  was 
all  like  this  just  over  our  heads,  you  might  look 
through  it  as  easy  as  a  glass  window.  Don't  you 
think  it's  a  considerable  good  shelter  for  a  rainy  day, 
Miss  Mary  ?  I  noticed  the  place  some  time  ago  ;  but 
didn't  think  I  should  ever  be  so  glad  to  get  into  it. 
I  hope  these  critturs  won't  track  us ;  but,  if  they  do, 
we've  got  a  pretty  good  fort,  provided  they  don't 
starve  us  out.  Lay  the  guns  handy,  James.  There's 
three  good  charges  for  'em,  if  they  trouble  us,  for  the 
first  brush.  It's  hard  to  cheat  an  Indian.  They're 
master  fellers  for  followin'  a  track.  They  won't  be 
likely  to  think  we've  come  this  way  ;  for  our  course 
was  south'ard.  But  when  they  miss  the  trail,  they'll 
be  apt  to  think  we  got  away  on  the  ice,  and  '11  hunt 
round  pretty  sharp.  But  this  is  a  blind  hole  ;  they'll 
do  well  to  find  us  ;  for  who'd  ever  think  of  looking 
here  for  anything  but  a  musquash  ?  At  any  rate,  I 
guess  they'll  find  they've  come  for  .wool  to  a  goat's 
house,  if  they  undertake  to  drive  us  out.  I've  had 
a  long  run  to-day ;  and  if  you'll  keep  a  bright  lookout, 
I'll  go  to  sleep,  James.  But  don't  make  a  noise,  on 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS    OF  MAINE.       289 

any  account.  When  it's  dark,  we'll  start  agin.  We'll 
hear  something  of  'em  soon,  if  at  all." 

So  saying,  Sam  wriggled  himself  into  a  comfortable 
position,  and  soon  dropped  into  a  sound  slumber.  Mary 
and  James  forgot  their  anxieties  again,  and  carried  on, 
in  subdued  whispers,  a  conversation  more  interesting 
to  themselves,  probably,  than  to  anybody  else.  No 
great  time,  however,  elapsed,  before  these  peaceful  em- 
ployments were  suspended  by  a  fierce  yell,  which  ech- 
oed through  the  forest  and  came  to  their  ears,  though 
deadened  by  the  solid  covering  of  their  singular  retreat, 
with  a  most  intimidating  wildness.  Mary  grew  pale 
as  death,  and  looked  tremblingly  at  her  lover.  James's 
open  brow  contracted  again  to  a  stern  and  harassed 
expression ;  while  Shirk  shook  off  his  drowsiness,  and 
raised  himself  upon  an  elbow  to  listen.  It  was  not  re- 
peated, and  all  was  still  again  as  ever. 

"There's  the  rest  on  'em  got  along,"  at  last  spoke 
Sam.  "  They're  screeching  over  that  feller  with  his 
throat  cut ;  and  now  they'll  do  their  prettiest  to  return 
the  favor.  I  was  in  hopes  t'others  had  quit  chasing  us. 
But  they're  uncommon  perseverin',  these  Indians.  If 
they  cut  my  throat  this  time,  though,  I  guess  they'll 
know  it." 

"  What's  best  to  be  done,  Sam  ?  Shall  we  go  out 
and  watch,  or  keep  close  ?  " 

"  Keep  close,  certain.  They  won't  find  us,  'tan't 
likely ;  and  if  they  do,  they'll  catch  a  Tartar.  Mind 
and  make  no  noise,  and  let  'em  swing ;  that's  the  talk." 

An  anxious  hour  or  two  passed  by ;  but,  ensconced 
in  their  icy  fortress,  they  could  obtain  no  certain  indi- 
cations of  the  movements  of  their  enemies.  Just  as 
the  dusk  came  on,  Sam  held  up  a  warning  finger,  as  a 
dim  shadow  glided  along  the  surface  of  the  ice,  in  their 

19 


290  SAM  SHIRK: 

immediate  neighborhood.  Perhaps  it  was  one  of  their 
pursuers,  scouting  for  some  sign  of  the  lost  fugitives. 
It  might,  however,  have  been  only  a  wild  animal.  No 
interruption  of  their  quiet  ensued  ;  and  night  closed  in, 
rendering  their  retreat  utterly  dark. 

After  a  lunch  upon  the  contents  of  Mary's  bag,  Sam 
and  Butler  groped  their  way  cautiously  to  the  mouth 
of  the  cavern,  and,  after  listening  intently  for  some 
minutes  and  catching  no  sound  that  indicated  danger, 
emerged  from  their  concealment,  and  reconnoitred  the 
immediate  vicinity.  No  traces  of  an  enemy  were  dis- 
coverable, and  they  quickly  returned  to  their  compan- 
ion, and  with  her  took  a  final  leave  of  the  shelter  that 
had  done  them  so  good  service. 

The  evening  was  still  and  mild.  The  rustling  of 
the  pine-tops,  like  the  surge  of  a  distant  beach,  filled 
the  atmosphere  with  its  deep, -indefinite  murmurings. 
Ever  and  anon  the  hooting  owl  called  to  his  mates, 
and  was  answered  in  the  droll  half  shout,  half  bark, 
that  constitutes  their  vocabulary.  Other  sound  or 
sign  of  life  there  was  none. 

Shirk  led  the  way,  with  a  gun  on  each  shoulder  ; 
and  close  behind  followed  Butler,  with  Mary  leaning 
on  his  arm.  They  threaded  rapidly  and  without  inter- 
ruption the  dim  paths  of  the  forest,  the  reflection  of 
the  star-light  from  the  snow  affording  them  sufficient 
light,  without  exposing  them  to  being  seen  from  any 
distance.  A  few  hours  of  exertion  brought  them 
safely  to  the  settlement.  Only  here  and  there  a  light 
shone,  at  that  late  hour,  from  the  friendly  windows ; 
but  the  sense  of  security  and  peace,  which  is  the  first 
blessing  of  civilization,  relieved  the  painful  tension  of 
their  minds,  as  they  passed  down  the  silent  roadway  ; 
and  each  party  gained  their  respective  homes,  wearied, 
but  thankful. 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS    OF  MAINE.         291 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

WITH  early  morning,  all  Merrifield  was  in  a  ferment. 
Shirk  had  found  time  to  communicate  to  numbers  of 
his  neighbors  the  events  of  the  preceding  day,  and,  had 
he  not  been  compelled  to  yield  to  the  imperative  claims 
of  fatigue  and  hunger,  would  probably  have  devoted 
himself  to  gossiping,  on  an  occasion  so  favorable.  As 
it  was,  there  was  no  lack  of  information  upon  the 
subject.  The  story  passed  from  lip  to  lip  and  from 
house  to  house,  gaining  all  sorts  of  additions  and  va- 
riations as  it  went  its  round.  Independently  of  any 
accessories,  true  or  false,  it  was  unquestionably  of 
startling  interest.  Strange  Indians  had  been  seen  lurk- 
ing round,  without  doubt,  with  more  or  less  mischiev- 
ous purposes.  Indian  wars,  with  all  their  horrible 
circumstances  of  carnage  and  atrocity,  although  be- 
longing to  a  time  gone  by,  still  remained  fresh  in  the 
minds  of  frontier  communities.  Straggling  incursions 
of  hostile  natives  from  the  Canadas  were  not  unlikely 
to  be  undertaken  for  purposes  of  plunder,  which  occa- 
sion might  easily  turn  to  conflagration  and  bloodshed, 
with  such  wild  marauders.  An  unbroken  forest  lay 
between  Merrifield  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  lapped 
the  very  verge  of  the  little  village  in  all  directions. 
Pillage,  and  even  murder,  were  too  congenial  to  the 
habits  of  the  Indians  to  be  bridled  securely  by  mere 
political  conventions,  in  which  they  had  no  share  but  a 


292  SAM  SHIRK: 

reluctant  obedience.     The  barbarous  allies  that  Enor- 

o 

land  enlisted  —  to  her  eternal  disgrace —  on  her  side  in 
the  Revolutionary  war,  remembered  still  the  profitable 
and  congenial  license  then  practiced  upon  the  exposed 
colonists.  Feeble  and  remote  settlements  had  hardly 
ceased  to  view  the  possibility  of  Indian  aggression  with 
a  sensitive  and  ferocious  apprehension.  The  enmity 
that  existed  between  the  masses  of  our  countrymen  and 
the  Indian,  where  they  were  brought  into  rough  con- 
tact, was  deep  and  bitter.  The  white  man  regarded 
his  adversary  as  he  did  a  wolf,  as  an  object  alike  of 
fear  and  contempt.  He  despised  the  native,  even 
while  he  knew,  from  a  sore  and  bloody  experience,  his 
power  and  will  to  do  mischief  upon  opportunity.  But 
as  Indian  warfare  was  based  upon  principles  abhorrent 
to  civilized  antagonism,  each  instance  of  prowess  gained 
for  the  savage  no  respect,  while  it  did  not  fail  to  pro- 
duce a  furious  and  unrelenting  hatred.  With  the  In- 
dian himself,  the  contest  was  one  of  sullen  desperation. 
Always  unable  to  cope  with  the  superior  advantages  of 
his  competitors,  his  natural  disposition  to  covert  and 
insidious  attack  was  compelled  into  a  still  deeper 
treachery,  and  his  bloody  retributions  driven  by  the 
sting  of  hopeless  inferiority  into  the  madness  of  a  yet 
more  reckless  vengeance.  The  history  of  the  struggle 
has  been  a  melancholy  and  dark  record  of  mutual  hate 
and  reciprocal  injury.  Philanthropy,  while  she  weeps 
over  the  graves  of  the  original  occupants  of  this  broad 
land,  can  hardly  fail  to  censure  severely  those  by  whose 
hands  their  sad  and  utter  extermination  was  wrought. 
But  this  censure  is,  in  great  degree,  unjust.  The  issue 
was  a  moral  and  physical  necessity,  a  destiny  that  must 
needs  be  accomplished.  The  result  grew  inevitably 
out  of  the  mere  juxtaposition  of  the  two  races  upon  the 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        293 

same  soil.  They  could  no  more  exist  there  together 
than  the  cultivated  field  and  the  primeval  forest  could, 
at  one  and  the  same  time,  occupy  the  ground.  Every 
trait  of  national  character,  every  social  habit,  the  indi- 
vidual temperament  of  both  parties,  imperatively  forbade 
it.  The  Anglo-Saxon  could  not  tolerate  an  equal ;  the 
red  man  would  not  acknowledge  his  superior.  The 
Anglo-Saxon  must  be  master,  but  the  Indian  would  not 
be  slave.  The  characteristic  temperament  of  the  latter 
could  never  be  moulded  anew,  or  his  moral  or  physical 
habitudes  changed  or  even  modified.  The  deep  stamp 
of  uncounted  centuries  was  there,  which  no  temporary 
influence  could  efface.  The  proud  heart  sustained,  and 
even  provoked  to  the  end,  the  unequal  strife,  and 
broke  in  its  last  despair.  Many  instances  of  gross  in- 
justice and  heartless  cruelty  no  doubt  took  place  in  this 
furious  struggle  for  existence  ;  for  such,  on  both  sides, 
it  was.  There  was  much  to  mourn  for  and  much  to 
blush  for ;  and  where  is  there  not  ?  but  the  great  issue 
is  from  the  hand  of  Providence.  One  era  has  yielded 
to  another  and  a  more  advanced  one.  The  Indian 
disappears  before  civilized  man,  as  the  saurian  and 
other  antediluvian  monsters  died,  in  the  very  change 
that  fitted  the  earth  for  a  higher  order  of  being.  It 
was  written  before  time  began  in  the  eternal  .  pro- 
gramme, an  inevitable  step  in  the  great  march  of  ages. 
The  announcement  of  the  adventure  that  had  be- 
fallen their  townsfolk,  left  no  bosom  unmoved  in  Merri- 
field.  It  awoke  evil  memories  that  had  not  yet  passed 
into  oblivion.  While  women  trembled,  and  children's 
cheeks  grew  pale,  the  men  took  down  their  rifles,  and 
sallied  forth  to  the  public  corners,  with  looks  and  ges- 
tures that  boded  no  good  to  whatever  might  challenge 
their  resentment.  They  stood  about  in  knots,  eagerly 


294  SAM  SHIRK: 

engaged  in  conversation  upon  what  had  been  and  what 
was  to  be  done,  while  waiting  for  the  appearance  of 
Butler,  whose  slumbers  had  been  prolonged  beyond  the 
usual  hour  by  the  toil  and  excitement  of  the  previous 
day. 

Meanwhile,  James  and  Mary  were  seated  at  the  late 
breakfast,  over  which  the  dame  presided  with  a  per- 
plexed and  anxious  look,  as  if  she  had  fallen  out  of  the 
clouds,  or  rather  fallen  into  them.  Roused  from  her 
first  nap  of  the  night  before  by  the  arrival  of  the  wan- 
derers, she  had  listened  to  their  story  with  an  amaze- 
ment and  terror  that  precluded  all  possibility  of  com- 
prehending its  details.  She  therefore  cried  herself  to 
sleep  again,  and  awoke  in  the  morning  with  those  in- 
definite and  horrible  impressions  that  weigh  down  one 
who  has  suffered  with  the  nightmare.  The  morning 
household  cares  relieved  for  a  while  the  uneasy  feeling ; 
but  now,  seated  at  leisure,  curiosity  and  affectionate 
interest  led  her  to  fresh  inquiry.  But  the  truth  was, 
that  the  good  old  lady's  mind  had  no  department  ap- 
propriate to  ideas  so  startling  as  grew  out  of  this  mat- 
ter. She  could  not  domiciliate  them  at  all  among  her 
own  quiet,  gentle,  and  every-day  notions.  They  came 
and  went  like  the  shadows  that  swept  across  the  floor  ; 
and  she  had  neither  the  power  nor  the  wish  to  detain 
them.  Her  energy  was  not  equal  to  the  task,  and  her 
kindness  loathed  it.  It  was  utterly  impossible  for  her 
to  conceive  how  people  would  or  could  be,  do,  or  suf- 
fer, under  circumstances  of  such  out-of-the-way  fashion  ; 
and  the  more  she  pondered,  the  deeper  was  her  bewil- 
derment. 

*'  Now,  James,"  said  she,  "  do  you  suppose  you 
really  killed  the  Indian  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  there  is  no  doubt  of  it,  mother.     It 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        295 

wasn't  a  pleasant  job ;  but  if  we  hadn't  killed  him,  he 
would  hare  killed  us." 

"  O  dear  me,  —  well,  it's  awful !  But  perhaps  he 
wouldn't  have  hurt  you,  after  all,  if  you  had  asked  him 
not  to." 

"  I  don't  think  he  would  have  cared  much,  mother, 
for  anything  I  could  say  ;  besides,"  said  he,  with  a  sly 
look  at  Mary,  "  you  know  I  can't  speak  Iroquois." 

"  Sure  enough,  I  didn't  think  of  that.  But  I'm 
awful  sorry  you  killed  the  creature." 

"  Well,  mother,"  replied  Butler,  a  little  annoyed, 
"  what  could  I  do  ?  what  would  you  have  done  ?  " 

"  I  ?  goody  gracious  ! "  ejaculated  the  old  lady,  in 
terror  at  the  very  thought  of  such  a  predicament. 
"  I  ?  why,  I  should  have  run  away  and  screamed." 

"  And  much  good  that  would  do,"  responded  her 
son  quietly. 

"  I  know  it  wouldn't  do  any  good.  But  what  could 
a  body  do  ?  " 

The  dreadful  necessity  of  taking  the  life  of  a  fellow- 
being  was  beyond  her  kindly  logic.  The  genial  in- 
stincts and  peaceful  propensities  of  her  nature  were  too 
strong  for  any  effort  her  reason  could  make  ;  and  she 
sat  silent,  and  hopelessly  perplexed  to  justify  a  deed  so 
painful. 

Sam  Shirk  had  come  in  to  inquire  after  Mary  and 
James,  and  was  sitting  in  the  chimney-corner,  with 
his  little  black  pipe  between  his  lips,  waiting  till  his 
friends  had  finished  their  meal,  and  his  rude  politeness 
would  allow  him  to  indulge  in  his  matutinal  "  smoke." 
He  had  listened,  as  he  often  did,  with  a  queer  mixture 
of  respect  and  astonishment,  to  the  old  lady's  rambling 
notions,  till  the  astonishment  got  the  better  of  the  re- 
spect ;  as  he  saw  the  light  in  which  she  was  inclined  to 


296  SAM  SHIRK: 

view  an  act,  to  him  so  evidently  necessary  and  even 
praiseworthy. 

"  Why,  ma'am,"  exclaimed  he,  "  'twan't  nothing  but 
an  Indian  ;  and  if  we  hadn't  a  took  care  of  him,  we 
should  all  have  been  scalped  in  less  than  no  time. 
There  was  more  of  'em  than  we  could  handle  just  be- 
hind." 

"  Well,  Sammooel,  I  hope  'twas  right.  But  you 
know  we  never  should  kill  anything  when  we  can 
help  it." 

"  To  be  sure  not,  ma'am,  not  Christians,  nor  even 
decent  dumb  beasts  for  nothing,"  argued  Sam ;  "  but 
don't  you  kill  spiders  and  snakes,  ma'am  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  kill  spiders  when  they  get  into  the  house ; 
but  I'm  afraid  of  snakes." 

Butler  now  rose  from  table,  asking  his  mother's 
leave  by  a  silent  nod,  and  signed  to  Sam  to  give  over 
the  useless  controversy.  He  knew  well  his  mother's 
mind  would  never  extricate  itself  from  such  metaphysi- 
cal difficulties ;  and  must  be  left  to  flounder  by  itself, 
till  time  and  oblivion  deadened  the  trouble  that  would 
not  be  reasoned  away.  He  then  took  his  rifle  from  the 
corner  where  he  had  left  it  the  night  before,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  put  it  in  order  ;  while  Shirk  lighted  his  pipe 
and  commenced  a  careful  examination  of  the  gun  taken 
from  the  Indian.  He  tried  the  lock,  then  sighted 
along  the  barrel,  examined  the  stock,  and  drew  the 
rod. 

"  Be  careful,  Sam,  that  gun  is  probably  loaded." 

"  I'll  take  care.  It's  a  fair  piece,  but  'tan't  a  prim- 
ing to  yours.  I  think  it's  full  better  than  mine, 
though." 

"  Well,  let  it  be  yours,  then.  You  are  welcome  to 
my  share  of  it." 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        297 

"  Thank  you  kindly,  I'll  take  it  out  and  try  it  some 
time.  But  I'll  stick  to  my  old  rifle  to-day.  I  know 
just  what  that'll  do,  to  a  shaving." 

"  To-day  I  "  echoed  Dame  Butler  in  tones  of  alarm  ; 
"  there  an't  to  be  any  more  fighting,  I  hope,  James." 

"  Why,  mother,  we  must  look  after  these  Indians 
or  they'll  be  doing  mischief.  You  wouldn't  have  our 
houses  burnt,  our  cattle  stolen,  and  perhaps  people 
murdered,  would  you  ?  " 

"  O  my !  what  awful  things  folks  do  do  !  well,  what 
are  you  going  about  ?  " 

"  Why,  I  suppose  the  neighbors  will  be  for  scour- 
ing the  woods,  to  find  out  at  least  what  is  going  on. 
Are  they  getting  ready  for  a  scout  outdoors,  Sam  ?  " 

"  An't  they !  "  exclaimed  Sam  exultingly,  for  his 
blood  was  up  to  fever  heat.  "  Every  rifle  in  Merri- 
field's  been  cleaned  this  morning.  They're  only  wait- 
ing for  you." 

"  O  James  !  "  said  Mary,  turning  pale,  "  are  you  go- 
ing out  among  those  savages  again  ?  " 

"  O  James  !  "  cried  his  mother,  "  do  stay  and  take 
care  of  us,  and  let  somebody  else  kill  the  rest  of  the 
Indians." 

"  Why,  Maiy,  you  wouldn't  have  me  leave  my  quar- 
rel and  yours  to  the  neighbors,  certainly.  There  is 
no  other  way  to  protect  the  village  from  these  blood- 
hounds, mother,  but  to  keep  them  at  a  distance. 
There  is  no  danger.  There  will  be  enough  of  us  now 
to  manage  all  the  Indians  between  here  and  the  Aroo- 
stook." 

Butler's  heightened  color  and  flashing  eye  told 
plainly  that  remonstrance  was  out  of  place  ;  and  Mary, 
casting  upon  him  a  look  of  mingled  pride  and  anxiety, 
quietl}7  busied  herself  in  making  his  preparations  for 
the  expedition. 


298  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  old  lady  sat  herself  down  in  her  arm-chair,  say- 
ing to  herself  as  she  mechanically  took  up  her  knitting, 
u  It's  no  use  to  talk  to  him.  He's  just  like  his  father  ; 
when  the  old  Adam  gets  up,  he  won't  hear  to  reason." 
The  tears  fell  so  fast  from  her  eyes  that  she  could  not 
see  the  ends  of  her  needles.  Yet  she  knitted  away 
with  all  her  might,  rocking  herself  to  and  fro,  as  if  the 
fate  of  the  world  depended  upon  her  diligence. 

Everything  was  ready  in  a  few  minutes ;  and  with 
an  affectionate  kiss  and  a  cheering  word  to  his  mother 
and  Mary,  Butler  left  the  house  with  Shirk,  and  joined 
their  neighbors  in  the  street. 


A    TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.       299 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

BUTLER  was  a  great  favorite  with  his  townsmen  ; 
and  his  appearance  was  greeted  by  a  general  stir  of 
inquiry  and  congratulation.  After  having  satisfied 
curiosity,  by  a  clear  and  succinct  account  of  the  in- 
cidents of  the  preceding  day,  he  concluded  by  asking 
in  his  turn,  "  Have  you  decided  what  to  do  ?  " 

"  Hardly.  We  have  been  waiting  to  hear  what  you 
and  Shii-k  had  to  say.  You  can  judge  best  how  many 
of  'em  there  are,  and  where  we  might  be  likely  to  find 
'em." 

"  Why,  no,  Mr.  Campbell.  Shirk  saw  five,  and 
doesn't  know  whether  there  are  more  or  not.  I  saw 
only  one  ;  and  he  is  out  of  the  way  of  mischief.  Sam 
first  fell  in  with  them  near  Pleasant  Mountain,  and 
that's  all  we  know.  But  here  comes  Wishcomet. 
He  may  be  able  to  tell  us  something." 

A  tall  young  Indian  turned  a  corner  at  the  farther 
end  of  the  bridge,  and  was  now  crossing  it  slowly,  with 
his  rifle  upon  his  shoulder.  He  was  well  formed,  erect 
and  easy  in  his  motions,  as  good  proportions  and  active 
habits  necessarily  made  him.  His  features  were  bold 
and  prominent,  as  usual  with  his  race,  but  open  and 
pleasant  in  then*  general  expression ;  while  his  bright 
black  eye  shone  with  all  the  acuteness  and  more  than 
the  ordinary  information  of  his  people.  His  dress  was 
picturesque  and  characteristic,  as  it  commonly  is,  even 


300  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  those  of  the  natives  whose  position  leads  them  to 
adopt  the  fabrics  of  civilization  in  their  clothing,  in  lieu 
of  the  ruder  materials  of  savage  life.  It  was  also 
marked  by  the  preference  for  strong  and  brilliant  col- 
ors that  always  prevails  among  uncivilized  peoples,  but 
arranged  with  a  better  taste  and  greater  sense  of  fitness 
than  would  have  been  exhibited  by  a  common  savage. 
He  was  the  lineal  descendant  of  the  Sachems  of  the 
Passamaquoddies ;  and,  although  the  broken  condi- 
tion and  lost  independence  of  his  tribe  left  but  little  of 
real  authority  and  influence  to  its  head,  the  acknowl- 
edged preeminence  still  imparted  a  dignity  of  character 
and  mien  not  unworthy  of  a  much  more  elevated  po- 
sition. Like  all  Indians  brought  by  the  progress  of 
events  within  the  territorial  limits  of  white  jurisdiction, 
the  tribe  had  already  lost  something  of  native  charac- 
ter, without  acquiring  any  valuable  qualities  or  habits 
in  return. 

They  were  something  less  Indian,  but  not  a  whit  more 
civilized.  Compelled,  by  the  changes  that  had  taken 
place  around  them,  to  seek  some  novel  means  of  sup- 
plying their  necessities,  a  petty  barter  with  their  white 
neighbors  in  baskets,  seal- oil,  furs,  and  other  products 
of  rude  manufacture  or  the  chase  had  superseded,  to 
some  extent,  their  former  independent  life.  They 
wore  such  clothing  as  they  could  buy,  beg,  or  some- 
times steal,  in  lieu  of  furs  or  dressed  skins ;  used  guns 
instead  of  bows  and  arrows,  and  procured  their  food 
partially  by  exchanges  with  the  whites,  instead  of  find- 
ing it  altogether  in  the  woods  and  rivers.  But  they  had 
acquired  no  habit  of  steady  industry,  and  added  nothing 
to  the  comfort  of  their  condition.  Roving,  desultory, 
and  indolent,  their  small  share  in  the  results  of  civili- 
zation was  a  necessity,  and  not  an  improvement ;  and, 


A   TALE    OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        301 

wherever  it  was  possible,  they  tenaciously  adhered  to 
their  ancestral  usages.  In  this  perverse  rejection  of 
all  refinement  and  amelioration,  whatever  was  its 
cause,  must  be  found  the  chief  reason  of  the  degrada- 
tion and  destruction  of  the  aborigines.  The  great 
wave  of  foreign  power  and  change  swept  rapidly  and 
resistlessly  over  their  land.  They  would  not  move 
with  its  current,  nor  submit  to  be  borne  along  by  its 
tide.  Consequently  they  were  buried  forever  beneath 
it,  or  dashed  in  wretched  ruin  into  nooks  and  corners, 
to  wither  away  in  decrepitude  and  helplessness.  But 
the  Passamaquoddies  were,  at  this  time,  yet  upon  the 
outer  verge  of  Anglo-Saxon  progress.  Diminished  in 
numbers  and  broken  in  spirit,  they  had  still  a  sem- 
blance of  national  character,  and  had  not  yet  reached 
that  abnegation  of  all  valuable  and  hopeful  traits  char- 
acteristic of  a  crushed  and  ruined  race.  Their  young 
Sachem,  or  Governor,  as  the  whites  termed  him,  de- 
served and  received  considerable  respect,  both  from  re- 
gard to  his  station  and  his  own  good  qualities.  For, 
upheld,  as  we  have  said,  by  a  sense  of  personal  dis- 
tinction and  self-respect,  above  the  rapidly  declining 
standard  of  his  followers,  he  was  sober,  honorable,  gen- 
erous, and  manly.  He  had  not  the  bitter  spirit,  born 
of  revenge  and  conscious  degradation,  so  common 
among  his  unfortunate  people,  but  seemed  to  seek  to 
maintain  an  equal  and  frank  intercourse  where  strug- 
gle was  useless,  and  complaint  vain.  A  quiet  melan- 
choly of  expression  and  a  reserved  staidness  of  de- 
meanor, at  variance  with  his  youth  and  disposition, 
showed,  however,  that  his  own  spirit,  too,  was  overcast 
with  the  sorrows  of  the  present  and  the  dark  shadow 
of  the  future. 

The  young  Sachem  came  up,  and,  saluting  the  group 


302  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  a  quiet  nod,  stood  resting  upon  his  rifle.  He  was 
dressed  in  a  blue  hunting-shirt,  ornamented  at  the  bot- 
tom with  a  red  fringe,  and  girt  about  his  waist  with 
a  sash  of  the  same  color.  His  blue  leggings  were 
adorned  up  and  down  the  outside  seam  with  a  similar 
fringe  to  that  which  bordered  the  frock  ;  and  his  feet 
were  protected  with  moccasins  beautifully  worked 
with  the  quills  of  the  porcupine,  in  various  colors.  A 
blue  cloth  cap  bordered  with  fur,  with  the  emblematic 
eagle's  feather  gracefully  bending  over  its  front, 
covered  his  jetty  hair.  A  dark  gray  blanket,  banded 
with  red,  was  thrown  loosely  over  his  shoulder,  and  a 
broad  silver  medal,  suspended  from  his  neck  by  a  cord, 
hung  upon  his  chest. 

There  was  a  moment's  pause,  in  deference  to  the 
known  habit  of  the  natives,  who  never  allow  them- 
selves to  evince  the  impatient  eagerness  of  white  men 
in  opening  a  conference.  Wishcouiet  stood  like  a  fine 
bronze  statue,  till  he  was  addressed  by  Butler. 

"  Does  the  Governor  know  there  are  strange  In- 
dians above  ?  " 

"  One  of  our  hunters  came  down  last  night,  and 
brought  in  the  clothes  of  a  red  man  that  was  killed  in 
the  woods  by  two  whites." 

"  It  was  the  tracks  of  Shirk  and  myself  that  he  saw. 
I  know  that  part  of  the  story ;  but  what  was  the  In- 
dian that  was  killed  ?  " 

"  His  dress  and  paint  were  that  of  the  Indians  of  the 
great  lakes." 

"  Sam,  have  you  that  wampum  .  belt  about  you  ? 
the  chief  will  know  it." 

Shirk  came  forward,  and  held  up  the  embroidered 
belt.  Wishcomet  glanced  at  it  a  moment,  and  then 
replied,  "  Iroquois." 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        303 

"  So  I  said,  Governor,"  said  Sam. 

Butler  then  went  on  :  — 

"  Do  you  know  anything  about  them,  Governor,  — 
their  numbers,  and  what  they  are  about  ?  " 

"  Succobash  saw  only  the  dead  man,  and  he  had 
been  hidden  in  the  bushes." 

"  Well,  then,  I  don't  see  that  you  can  enlighten  us 
much.  We  must  go  and  find  out  for  ourselves.  Will 
you  go  with  us,  Governor  ?  " 

"Yes,  and  carry  some  of  our  men,  if  you  want 
them.  The  Iroquois  are  enemies  :  you  are  friends." 

"  Get  three  or  four  of  your  best  young  men,  Chief, 
if  you  will,  and  assist  us  to  hunt  up  these  chaps.  We 
can  take  care  of  them  fast  enough,  if  we  can  only  find 
them." 

"  I  will  be  back  in  half  an  hour,"  answered  the 
Sachem,  turning  to  depart. 

"  One  moment,  Governor.  You  know  best  of  us  all 
how  to  go  to  work.  Give  us  your  opinion." 

"  There  must  be  a  good  many.  They  wouldn't 
come  so  far,  if  not.  Twenty  or  thirty  men,  at  least, 
ought  to  go.  Succobash  shall  put  on  the  dead  man's 
dress.  Then  we  must  contrive  to  find  their  trail. 
They  will  either  go  home  right  away  after  this,  or  hide 
till  night  for  a  chance  to  strike." 

"  So  I  think,  Governor.  They  will  know  well 
enough  we  shall  be  after  them  to-day.  If  they  are 
strong  enough  to  risk  it,  they  will  keep  close  to-day, 
and  try  for  their  revenge  to-night.  The  moon  rises 
at  ten  o'clock.  Get  your  men  here  as  quick  as  possi- 
ble. We  will  be  ready." 

The  young  chief  now  started  for  the  encampment 
of  his  people,  which  was  then  about  a  mile  below  the 
village  ;  for  tribes  in  communication  with  the  settle- 


304  SAM   SHIRK: 

merits,  though  they  will  neither  quarter  with  their 
white  neighbors,  nor  make  permanent  villages  by  them- 
selves, in  most  instances,  generally  pitch  their  wig- 
wams within  convenient  distance  for  intercourse,  unless 
upon  a  hunting  or  fishing  expedition. 

The  assembly  held  a  hasty  consultation,  on  the  de- 
parture of  the  Sachem,  and  made  their  arrangements 
upon  the  brief  hints  already  suggested.  Forty  active 
and  resolute  men  were  selected,  and  unanimously  chose 
Butler  for  their  commander.  The  rest  were  to  remain 
to  guard  the  village  against  attack.  The  band  chosen 
for  the  expedition,  at  Butler's  suggestion,  immediately 
set  about  preparing  themselves  with  three  days'  pro- 
vision and  arms  and  ammunition.  In  a  short  time  all 
were  at  the  rendezvous,  ready  to  march. 

About  the  same  time  Wishcomet  returned,  bring- 
ing with  him  four  followers,  besides  Succobash,  arrayed 
in  the  garb  of  the  slain  Indian.  The  latter  had  also 
painted  his  face  in  the  fashion  which  he  had  noticed  on 
the  dead  man.  He  was  therefore  well  prepared  to 
pass  for  one  of  the  enemy,  should  circumstances  re- 
quire it ;  and  nothing  but  a  very  close  examination 
would  betray  him.  At  his  chiefs  suggestion,  he  wound 
a  bright  red  cord  around  the  stock  of  his  gun,  as  if  it 
had  been  split  and  hastily  repaired,  in  order  that  he 
might  not  be  mistaken  by  his  friends. 

The  party  then  started  up  the  river,  trusting  to 
chance  and  their  own  diligence  and  ingenuity  for  the 
successful  issue  of  their  enterprise. 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        305 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

BUTLER  and  the  Indian  chief  walked  side  by  side  a 
little  in  advance  of  their  companions.  Of  nearly 
equal  age  and  position,  each  was,  both  by  circum- 
stance and  capacity,  the  natural  leader  of  his  comrades. 
Both,  active,  resolute,  and  quick  of  apprehension, 
frank,  generous,  and  warm-hearted,  were  qualified  to 
sustain  ably  the  preeminence  which  their  popular  qual- 
ities secured  them.  But  how  different  the  career  that 
opened  before  them !  The  young  Anglo-Saxon,  a  for- 
tunate member  of  a  dominant  race,  happy  in  the  pres- 
ent and  ambitious  of  the  future,  saw  his  nation  advanc- 
ing with  an  almost  incredible  rapidity  on  the  road  to 
prosperity.  His  heart  glowing  with  the  confidence  of 
hope  and  the  energy  of  power,  he  felt  that  he  had  but 
to  will  the  accomplishment  of  every  reasonable  wish 
and  legitimate  purpose.  His  bright  eye  and  elastic 
tread,  his  cheerful  laugh  and  spontaneous  independ- 
ence of  manner  gave  outward  token  of  his  feelings 
and  his  thoughts.  But  Wishcomet,  though  scarcely 
yet  a  man,  wore  the  grave  and  chastened  air  of  long 
experience.  Still  in  the  very  spring-tide  of  his  youth, 
he  had  already  lived  a  life-time  of  sorrows  in  the  mis- 
fortunes of  his  people.  The  anxious  apprehensions 
and  bitter  trials  of  life  had  already  laid  the  weight  of 
years  upon  his  brow,  and  oppressed  his  heart  with  a 
burden,  beneath  which  it  throbbed  painfully  and  con- 
20 


SAM  SHIRK: 

vulsively.  To  him,  the  present  was  a  hopeless  strag- 
gle against  evil,  and  the  future  a  dark  gulf  which  no 
eye  could  fathom  and  no  joy  could  light.  His  spring- 
ing and  easy  step  showed  the  activity  of  perfect  physi- 
cal powers,  but  it  had  the  languor  of  restricted  purposes 
and  sad  anticipations.  A  melancholy  quiet  pervaded 
his  features,  and  shone  from  his  deep-set  eye,  except 
at  times  ;  when,  from  a  memory  of  the  past  or  a  galling 
surmise  of  insult  or  wrong,  it  would  flash,  for  a  mo- 
ment, with  the  natural  spirit  of  his  years  and  race. 
But  it  was  only  to  settle  back  into  a  despondency,  the 
more  touching  that  it  had  nothing  of  the  sullen  Indian 
ferocity,  which  might,  however,  have  been  pardoned 
to  despair.  The  one,  like  a  young  eagle,  looking  out 
from  his  lofty  perch  over  field  and  forest,  hailing  the 
joyous  light  of  morning,  and  balancing  himself  upon 
eager  wing  to  swoop  forth  on  his  fearless  errand  ;  the 
other,  like  the  same  gallant  bird  retreating  at  evening, 
stricken  and  sore,  to  his  wonted  station,  with  drooping 
wing  and  glazing  eye,  looking  dreamily  into  the  dark- 
ness that  is  fast  hiding  from  him  the  scene  of  his  free, 
bold  life,  that  shall  see  no  new  morning. 

There  existed  a  feeling  of  friendliness  between  the 
youths,  heightened  on  the  part  of  Butler  by  sympathy, 
and  on  that  of  the  young  chief  by  gratitude.  They 
often  hunted  and  fished  together,  and  free  intercourse 
had  begotten  a  mutual  respect  and  good-will.  Their 
thoughts  and  speech  were  turned,  at  this  time,  upon 
the  object  of  their  present  expedition  ;  and  they  agreed 
in  the  opinion  that  the  hostile  Indians,  if  they  had  not 
retreated,  would  be  hovering  on  the  rear  of  the  upper 
settlements  of  the  river  ;  and  that  the  best  course  was 
to  proceed  at  once  to  that  quarter.  By  this  plan,  im- 
mediate aid  might  be  afforded  to  the  isolated  farms  ; 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        307 

while,  if  they  chanced  to  pass  the  enemy,  they  would 
be  in  a  position  to  intercept  his  retreat.  The  door  of 
Captain  Dee's  farm-house  was  reached,  as  they  con>- 
eluded  the  discussion  by  this  arrangement. 

The  old  gentleman  and  William  stood,  gun  in  hand, 
awaiting  their  approach. 

"  We  heard  about  an  hour  ago  of  yesterday's  affair, 
James,"  said  the  Captain,  as  he  wrung  Butler's  hand 
with  cordial  interest.  "  You  and  Mary  escaped  fa- 
mously. If  those  copper-skins  do  as  well  for  them-- 
selves,  they  will  be  lucky.  Why,  you've  a  small  army 
here." 

"  Yes,  Captain,  there  are  plenty  of  us.  I  think  you 
and  William  may  as  well  stay  at  home,  and  take  care 
of  your  premises  and  old  Polly." 

"  D n  old  Polly !  if  the  Indians  carry  her  off, 

she's  as  fit  for  a  squaw  as  anything  else.  William's 
determined  to  go  with  you,  and  I'm  determined  to  go 
with  William.  So  you'll  have  to  take  us  both." 

"  Well,  for  my  part  at  least,  I  shall  not  regret  it,  as 
you  know.  Tell  me  what  you  think  of  the  plan  Wish- 
comet  and  I  have  formed."  Butler  then  recited  the 
conclusions  upon  which  himself  and  his  associate  had 
rested.  Dee  assented  to  their  propriety,  and  the  party 
proceeded,  with  numbers  thus  increased,  upon  their 
road. 

It  was  about  noon,  as  they  had  crossed  the  river  at 
the  Falls,  and  passed  a  mile  or  two  beyond,  when  one 
of  the  scouts  —  of  whom  several  had  been  thrown  out 
on  the  flanks  and  front  —  gave  the  signal  of  alarm,  by 
lifting  his  cap  upon  his  rifle  and  giving  a  low  and  pecul- 
iar whistle,  that  was  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth  till 
it  reached  the  main  body.  The  company  had  been 
simply  organized  into  two  platoons,  with  directions 


308  SAM  SHIRK: 

sufficient  for  the  sudden  emergencies  so  common  in 
forest  warfare.  At  the  signal,  Butler  waved  his  hand, 
and  his  followers  immediately  sprang  into  the  woods, 
half  of  them  on  either  side,  and  instantly  concealed 
themselves  behind  the  trees  and  bushes,  in  a  semicir- 
cular formation,  in  order  to  protect  their  flanks  against 
surprise.  They  remained  thus,  silent  and  motionless, 
with  the  exception  of  their  leaders,  who  sought  by 
cautious  examination  to  discover  any  movement  in  the 
woods  around.  After  the  lapse  of  a  few  minutes,  the 
advanced  scout  was  seen  to  emerge  from  the  cover 
which  he  had  taken  upon  giving  his  signal,  and  join  a 
single  individual  who  was  now  plainly  visible  coming 
down  the  path.  Convinced  by  this  that  the  intruder 
was  a  friendly  one,  the  band  stepped  out  again  into 
the  track,  and  the  sharpest-sighted  among  them  directly 
pronounced  it  to  be  Joe  Sibley. 

"  That  is  fortunate,  James,"  said  Captain  Dee. 
"  Joe  will  be  able  to  tell  us  what's  going  on  above. 
His  eyes  are  sharp  ones,  and  he's  always  roving  about/' 

Joe,  with  the  patrols  from  the  front,  now  all  came 
in  together,  and  a  rapid  interchange  of  information  and 
conjectures  took  place.  Sibley  had  already  gathered, 
from  the  advanced  guard,  the  main  points  of  Butler's 
adventure  of  the  day  before  and  of  their  plans  and  pur- 
poses. 

"  This  is  jest  the  thing,"  said  he  to  Butler.  "  I  was 
on  my  way  to  the  Falls  to  raise  some  men  to  look  after 
these  darned  red  devils.  There  are  too  few  of  us,  in 
the  upper  settlement,  to  scour  the  woods  and  keep  our 
houses  safe  too.  They're  all  on  the  watch  above, 
though.  But  as  I  had  three  men  in  my  house,  I 
thought  I  could  risk  it  to  run  down  for  help.  But  I'm 
plaguy  glad  to  meet  you  half-way  ;  for  ye  see  I  didn't 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        309 

want  to  be  away  over  night.  We  didn't  know  of  the 
frolic  you'd  had  with  'em,  Butler.  But  last  night  my 
dogs  were  howling  like  destruction,  and  we  got  up  and 
went  out,  supposing  there  was  a  bear  or  a  wolf  about 
the  barn.  We  couldn't  see  nothin',  though  it  was 
bright  moonlight.  But  this  mornin'  I  looked  into  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  and  found  what  I  took  for  the  print 
of  moccasins  ;  and  I  consated  there  was  some  mischief 
round.  I  tracked  'em  across  the  ridge  and  to  the  big 
Mopang  Lake,  though  the  tracks  was  terrible  faint. 
But  I  didn't  dare  to  show  myself  on  the  ice,  for  I 
judged  by  the  signs  that  there's  twenty  or  more  of  'em. 
So  I  took  the  back  track,  and  came  straight  down.  I 
guess  we'll  give  'em  some  now,  if  they  an't  made  off." 
.  "  Well,  that's  pretty  much  as  I'd  figured  it,"  ob- 
served Shirk.  "  'Twas  round  there  I  first  saw  'em ;  and 
I  expected  they'd  skulk  thereabouts.  I'll  bet  my  rifle 
I  can  go  straight  to  'em.  Governor,  don't  you  know 
the  deep  gully  where  the  brook  makes  in  toward  the 
head  of  the  lake,  all  sot  round  with  high  hills  and 
thunderin'  tall  pines  ?  That's  the  place  for  'em,  dead 
sure.  They  can  see  the  whole  length  of  the  lake  from 
there  ;  but  the  devil  a  body  could  see  them,  unless  he 
climbed  a  tree  right  over  their  heads.  It's  just  the 
place  for  a  skulking-hole." 

Wishcomet  expressed  his  concurrence  in  the  con- 
iecture  by  a  nod  of  assent.  Basing  their  schemes  upon 
this  supposition,  it  was  decided  to  proceed,  after  a 
short  rest,  to  Sibley's  house,  about  six  miles  off. 
Thence  a  few  men  were  to  be  detached  in  various 
quarters  to  garrison  two  or  three  of  the  most  exposed 
houses,  while  the  remainder  were  to  watch,  and,  if  need 
be,  fight  the  enemy.  The  afternoon  was  nearly  half 
spent  when  the  main  body  halted  at  Sibley's  dwelling, 


310  .  SAM  SHIRK: 

having  first  sent  off  the  reinforcements  for  the  out- 
skirting  points  that  seemed  to  be  in  danger  of  surprise. 
These  latter  had  orders  to  watch  carefully  and  to  pa- 
trol constantly,  as  far  as  safety  allowed.  A  line  of 
videttes  of  ten  men,  to  maintain  a  communication  across 
the  front  between  the  various  posts,  was  organized  and 
intrusted  to  a  resolute  and  trusty  leader.  Various 
signals  were  also  arranged  to  convey  information,  if 
need  required,  by  discharges  of  guns,  which  might  be 
heard  by  attentive  ears  over  the  whole  field  of  opera- 
tions. The  force  left  behind  might  thus  serve  both  as 
a  garrison  and  a  reserve.  It  secured  the  settlement 
from  insult,  being  sufficient  to  sustain  any  probable  at- 
tack till  succors  could  arrive,  and  might  be  summoned 
to  the  front  in  part  or  in  whole,  should  the  discoveries 
and  position  of  the  main  body  require  it. 

Great  pains  were  taken,  at  Butler's  command,  to 
conceal  all  these  movements  from  prying  eyes.  The 
main  body  of  the  expedition  entered  into  Sibley's  cleai*- 
ing  from  the  deep  woods  in  the  rear,  and  stole  into  the 
house  by  twos  and  threes,  so  as  to  be  covered  by  the 
buildings  from  any  who  might  be  watching  the  settle- 
ment from  the  side  of  the  forest. 

After  a  march  of  twenty  miles,  the  men  in  general 
were  inclined  to  give  a  very  zealous  and  undivided  at- 
tention to  refreshment,  both  in  the  way  of  food  and 
rest.  The  leading  spirits,  nevertheless,  mingled  with 
these  vulgar  cares  earnest  consultations  and  careful 
conjectures  of  the  probabilities  upon  which  it  would  be 
safest  to  act. 

In  sudden  emergencies,  whether  affecting  greater  or 
less  issues,  whether  they  occur  in  mighty  empires  or 
petty  hamlets,  lies  the  sure  test  of  manly  character. 
On  such  occasions,  daring  and  wisdom  take  the  ascend- 


A    TALE    OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.       311 

ancy,  just  -as  surely  as  the  atmosphere  rises  above  the 
grosser  and  heavier  particles  of  the  material  world. 
Shake  up  a  community,  little  or  great,  till  each  individ- 
ual disengages  himself  from  conventional  regulations 
and  artificial  restraints,  and  it  must  follow,  as  matter 
of  course,  that  each  will  assume,  at  least  for  a  time, 
the  rank  which  his  specific  gravity  assigns  him  in 
the  human  scale.  Experience,  courage,  genius,  then 
assert  their  prerogative,  and  maintain  it  upon  the 
great  law  of  natural  affinities.  Thus,  in  this  little 
company  of  borderers,  as  much  as  in  the  armies  of 
Napoleons  and  the  cabinets  of  great  nations,  the  strong 
spirits  and  the  clear  heads,  instinctively  and  without 
contradiction,  assumed  the  direction.  While,  in  Sib- 
ley's  kitchen,  the  undistinguished  members  ate  and 
drank,  and  smoked,  and  chatted,  and  stretched  them- 
selves at  length  to  rest  their  wearied  limbs,  Butler, 
the  Dees,  Sibley,  Wishcomet,  and  two  or  three  more, 
conferred  together  in  the  other  appartment ;  and  came 
to  conclusions  which  were  sure  to  command  the  con- 
currence and  zealous  cooperation  of  their  comrades. 
Seated  around  the  table,  on  which  were  spread  mate- 
rials for  the  restoration  of  their  physical  energies,  they 
debated  upon  the  various  suggestions  that  presented 
themselves  for  consideration.  James's  modesty  had 
surrendered  to  the  superior  age  of  Captain  Dee  the 
duty  of  presiding  over  the  little  council  of  war.  The 
Captain  occupied  the  great  flag-bottomed  chair,  with 
his  glass  of  brandy  and  water  before  him  and  his  pipe, 
in  hand  or  mouth.  Behind  him,  on  a  stool,  young 
William  sat,  just  without  the  circle,  quietly  and  intel- 
ligently listening  to  the  suggestions  of  his  seniors. 
Butler,  Sibley,  and  three  other  of  the  prominent  whites 
sat  around  the  board ;  and  the  reserved  and  dignified 


312  SAM   SHIRK: 

young  Sachem,  at  its  foot,  answered  briefly  but  clearly 
to  the  frequent  appeals  made  by  his  more  loquacious 
friends  to  his  well-known  shrewdness  and  sagacity. 
Unceremoniously,  but  decorously,  the  various  opinions 
were  stated  and  compared,  in  reply  to  the  calls  of  the 
chairman. 

"  Wishcomet,  you  are  the  best  judge,  after  all, 
where  these  fellows  are  likely  to  be  secreted.  What 
do  you  think  ?  " 

"  They  would  not  feel  safe  nearer  than  the  lake's 
head.  They  need  not  go  any  further  to  be  out  of 
sight.  I  should  camp  there,  if  I  were  their  chief." 

"  Then  we  all  seem  to  think  that,  conclusion  pretty 
sure.  Is  there  any  other  spot  thereabouts  so  secret 
and  convenient  as  the  gully  Shirk  spoke  of?  " 

"None  to  compare  with  it,"  Sibley  broke  in. 
"  There's  their  camp,  ten  to  one." 

"  It's  most  important  of  all  to  guess  right  in  this 
matter,"  added  Dee.  "  Is  there  any  way,  Wishcomet, 
to  make  sure  of  it?" 

"  Our  eyes  will  tell  us,"  replied  the  chief.  "  The 
ridge  is  between  them  and  us.  They  will  light  a  fire 
to  cook  their  venison.  We  could  see  their  smoke 
from  the  ridge." 

"  But  may  they  not  have  a  lookout  upon  the  hill 
themselves,  Wishcomet?  "  inquired  Butler. 

"  The  lake  is  nearly  four  miles  long.  The  forest 
behind  is  dark.  They  will  only  watch  the  ice  and  the 
other  side  of  the  ridge.  A  lookout  on  this  side  might 
be  seen  as  well  as  see  ;  they  know  your  eyes  will  be 
sharp." 

"  That's  the  talk,  Captain,"  rejoined  Sibley. 
"  They  won't  venture  a  spy  on  this  side  in  broad  day. 
Their  game  is  to  keep  snug  till  night-fall.  Now,  my 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        313 

notion's  just  this  way.  Let  Wishcomet  and  Succobash 
go  with  me  and  any  one  other  of  our  men  ;  and  we'll 
soon  know  whether  there's  anything  to  be  seen  from 
the  top  of  Pleasant  Mountin.  I  know  the  ground  as 
well  as  my  way  to  bed  ;  I  can  get  to  a  first-rate  chance  to 
range  the  lake,  and  never  quit  cover  neither.  I'll  spy 
'em  out,  without  their  knowin'  anybody's  lookin',  you 
may  depend.  Now,  Butler,  you  stay  here  till  towards 
dark  ;  and  then  let  the  men  creep  into  the  woods  be- 
hind here,  and  lead  'em  quietly  across,  by  the  little 
round  pond  out  yonder,  to  the  head  of  the  Sinclair 
Brook.  If  we  find  we  an't  safe  on  the  mountin,  we'll 
come  back  to  the  beaver-dam  on  the  upper  swamp,  and 
join.  you.  If  you  don't  find  us  there,  foller  along  right 
up  the  swale  to  the  ledge  on  top  o'  the  hill.  You 
know  the  big  rock,  close  by  that  little  old  birch,  pretty 
nigh  the  flat  ledge,  don't  you  ?  Now  I  will  get  up 
under  that  ?  and  from  there  I  can  see  all  over  t'other 
side.  If  we  need  any  more  risky  scouting,  we'll  send 
Succobash  ahead.  If  they  should  spy  him,  maybe 
they  won't  mistrust  that  he  wan't  one  of  their  own 
men  stragglin'  round.  In  about  an  hour,  let  some- 
body go  up  to  my  garret  winder ;  you  can  see  this  side 
of  the  rock  from  there,  plain.  It'll  be  jest  about  sun- 
set too,  and  be  bright  as  a  dollar  on  the  west  side  of 
the  ledge.  If  we  see  signs  of  'em,  we'll  all  stand  in  a 
row  and  swing  our  caps.  Then  you'll  have  nothin' 
to  do  but  to  come  up  to  us  as  fast  you  can.  If  we 
don't  make  the  signal,  you  must  come  along  as  you 
think  best ;  only  meet  us,  at  all  events,  at  the  beaver- 
dam,  or  above.  If  there's  any  great  trouble,  of  course 
we'll  come  back  as  fast  as  we  can,  to  let  you  know. 
How  will  that  do  ?  " 

"  Capitally,  Joe,"  said   Butler.     "  I   see   but   one 


314  SAM  SHIRK: 

thing  more  to  provide  for.  It  is  six  miles  from  the  top 
of  the  ridge  to  the  head  of  the  lake.  We  can't  cross 
the  ice  ;  for  we  should  be  all  shot  down,  or  the  Indians 
would  be  sure  to  escape  into  the  woods.  We  must  go 
round  and  take  them  in  the  rear,  which  will  make  two 
or  three  miles  further.  How  can  we  manage  this,  Wish- 
comet  ?  " 

"  Why  need  we  go  to  them  ?  Make  an  ambush  at 
the  foot  of  the  lake,  and  they  will  come  to  us." 

"  That's  it  exactly  ;  how  stupid  I  was  !  Well,  we 
must  get  on  to  the  ground  as  quickly  as  possible,  to 
have  time  to  arrange  everything." 

"  We'll  have  time  enough,"  said  Sibley.  "  I  know 
the  whole  ground  like  a  book.  As  they  won't  be  dis- 
turbed, they'll  take  the  road  that  I  tracked  'em  on  this 
mornin'.  It's  the  nateral  one  for  anybody  comin'  this 
way.  We'll  fix  'em  easy." 

"  The  sooner  you  start  the  better,  Joe,"  suggested 
Captain  Dee.  "  There's  a  bare  pattern  of  time  for 
everything  to  work  in  right." 

"  I'm  ready.  Come,  Governor,  you  call  Succobash 
and  I'll  take  Tom  Bray  with  me.  If  we  get  into  a 
tight  fix  anyhow,  Butler,  we  may  naterally  have  to 
fire ;  and  if  you  hear  us,  you  must  put  along  to  help 
us." 

"  I  will  send  six  men  along  with  you,  Joe,  to  stop 
at  the  beaver-dam  until  we  come  up.  You  will  then 
have  something  to  fall  back  on,  in  case  of  emer- 
gency." 

"  Very  well.     Come,  Governor,  let's  be  movin'." 

Butler,  Sibley,  with  the  Sachem  and  the  rest,  then 
went  into  the  other  room.  After  explaining  briefly 
the  plan  of  operations,  James  addressed  his  men  as 
follows  :  "  Now,  boys,  you  all  know  well  enough  that 


A    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        315 

a  bush-fight,  such  as  we  shall  have,  if  we  catch  these 
fellows,  will  be  no  joke.  We  can't  have  a  man  with 
us  that  isn't  ready  for  the  scratch.  If  any  of  you 
mean  to  hang  back,  do  it  now,  when  you  will  get  no- 
body into  a  scrape  by  it.  Those  who  prefer  it,  can 
stay  here  and  guard  this  house.  Let  those  who  don't 
want  to  go  with  us,  step  over  to  that  side,  and  those 
who  are  ready  for  whatever  comes,  stand  on  this." 

In  a  moment  every  man  in  the  room  stood  as  near 
to  Butler  as  their  numbers  permitted,  and  the  farther 
end  of  the  room  was  bared. 

"  That's  well.  I  needn't  tell  you  now  that  the  man 
that  flinches  "  — 

"  Is  a  d d  coward  and  a  traitor  !  "  broke  in  Cap- 
tain Dee,  emphatically  winding  up  Butler's  oration. 

"  Amen  !  "  shouted  Sibley,  and  "  Amen  !  "  re- 
sounded round  the  crowded  room. 

"  Now,"  resumed  Butler,  "  I  want  six  volunteers  to 
go  with  Sibley,  Wishcomet,  Bragg,  and  Succobash, 
and  do  whatever  Sibley  or  the  Sachem  orders.  Who 
will  go  ?  " 

Every  man,  in  a  breath,  answered,  "  I." 

"  Good  again,  boys.  But  I  want  only  six.  Let 
these  go."  With  his  hands  James  waved  off  the  half- 
dozen  who  stood  next  him.  The  little  party  thus  des- 
ignated, trailed  their  rifles,  and  moved  instantly  to  the 
door. 

"  Go  out  by  the  back  door,  boys,  one  by  one,  and 
keep  under  the  rick  fence,  and  stop  in  the  woods 
behind  the  barn.  Keep  snug  under  the  cover,  so  that 
nobody  can  see  you  from  the  ridge." 

Sibley  and  the  young  chief  saw  their  party  file 
through  the  door,  and  then  followed  after  them. 
Crouching  behind  the  line  of  fence,  they  stole  around 


316  SAM  SHIRK 

the  out-building  and  into  the  woods  in  the  rear.  After 
selecting  two  men  to  march  a  few  rods  upon  either 
flank,  Joe  and  his  Indian  friend  led  the  remainder 
down  into  the  hollow  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  then,  fac- 
ing to  the  north,  proceeded  briskly  along  their  road. 

"  Now  no  talking  or  smoking ;  look  sharp  ahead.  If 
you  see  anything  like  an  Indian,  take  cover,  and  be 
ready  to  obey  orders." 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        317 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

A  RAPID  walk  of  two  miles  brought  the  party  to  the 
foot  of  the  ridge.  The  waters  of  a  swamp,  from 
which  issued  a  considerable  brook,  were  here  thrown 
back  so  as  to  form  a  small  pond,  by  a  dike  of  trees  and 
earth  some  three  or  four  feet  high  and  about  as  much 
in  width,  the  work  of  that  little  animal  whose  instinct 
and  industry  are  sufficient  •  to  excite  the  admiration 
even  of  reasoning  man.  A  dense  thicket  of  young 
firs  and  spruces  grew  close  upon  the  edge  of  the  pond. 
Here  Sibley  stationed  six  of  his  companions. 

"  Lie  down  on  the  snow  in  the  very  thickest  of  the 
clump  ;  and  keep  your  mouths  shut  and  your  eyes 
and  ears  open.  Don't  fire  at  anything  unless  you  are 
obliged.  If  you  are  attacked,  which  an't  likely,  hold  on, 
if  possible,  till  we  join  you.  We  shall  take  the  back 
track,  if  we  hear  any  muss  here.  If  you  hear  us  fire 
more  than  once  round,  come  up  to  our  support ;  and  do 
it  up  handsome.  Jem  Small,  you  take  the  command 
till  we  come  back.  Now  mind,  —  still  and  steady." 

"  With  these  injunctions,  Joe  and  his  three  compan- 
ions left  them,  and  pursued  their  way  along  the  borders 
of  the  swamp,  until  they  reached  a  swale  that  wound 
in  a  regular  ascent,  between  the  swells  of  the  moun- 
tain, to  the  summit.  Half  an  hour  brought  them  so 
near  to  the  latter,  that  they  caught  occasional  glimpses, 
through  the  trees,  of  the  bare  and  storm-beaten  roc-k 


318  SAM  SHIRK: 

which  formed  the  crest  of  the  hill.  Sibley  now  called 
his  comrades  close  to  his  side  by  a  silent  gesture,  and 
spoke  in  a  low  tone  :  — 

"  This  swale  comes  out  just  on  the  nor'west  of  the 
big  rock.  If  the  Iroquois  have  a  lookout  on  the  hill, 
he  will  be  behind  that  stone  probably ;  and  if  there's 
anybody  there,  we  must  try  to  catch  him  without  giv- 
in'.  him  a  chance  to  fire  or  run.  Governor,  you  and 
Succobash  can  worm  along  better  than  Tom  or  I  can. 
If  you  will  creep  up  a  little  to  the  left,  so  as  to  get  a 
peep  round  the  back  side,  Brag  and  I  will  foller  you, 
jest  under  cover  of  the  swale.  If  there's  anythin'  to 
be  done,  we'll  be  on  hand.  But  don't  show  yourselves 
over  the  ridge,  nohow." 

Wishcomet  expressed  his  consent  by  a  silent  nod, 
and,  signing  to  Succobash  to  follow  him,  ascended  by 
the  slope  that  skirted  on  the  left  the  hollow  way  by 
which  they  had  hitherto  advanced.  Sibley  and  Bray 
continued  along  their  original  direction,  keeping  them- 
selves just  in  the  rear  of  their  flankers.  When  the 
top  of  the  ascent  was  nearly  gained,  the  Indians  threw 
themselves  flat  upon  the  ground  and  worked  them- 
selves slowly  and  cautiously  along  towards  the  spot  to 
be  examined.  Sibley  and  Bray  remained  meanwhile 
crouched  motionless  among  the  stinted  growth  of  the 
barren  and  inhospitable  height,  with  eye  and  ear 
strained  to  the  utmost,  and  their  arms  prepared  for  in- 
stant use  ;  each  holding  his  rifle  in  one  hand  and  a  keen 
hunting-knife  in  the  other.  After  the  lapse  of  ten  anx- 
ious minutes,  Wishcomet  and  his  follower  glided  noise- 
lessly back  into  the  friendly  shelter  of  the  hollow. 

"  The  hill  is  clear,"  said  the  Sachem. 

"  Well,  then,  let  us  creep  up  quietly  to  our  side  of 
the  rock,  and  contrive  how  to  get  a  peep  round  it." 


A    TALE  OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        319 

The  four,  now  turning  slightly  to  the  right,  so  as  to 
approach  the  hither  side  of  the  boulder,  soon  gained 
their  post  at  its  foot.  It  was  of  more  than  sufficient 
height  to  protect  them  from  observation  beyond,  even 
in  an  erect  attitude  :  but,  mindful  of  the  signal  agreed 
upon  with  Butler,  they  remained  upon  their  hands  and 
knees  until  they  could  complete  their  reconnoitring. 

Sibley  now  laid  aside  his  gun,  and  cut  up  with  his 
hunting-knife  a  few  of  the  straggling  shrubs  that  grew 
among  the  hollows  of  the  ledge.  Collecting  them  in 
a  bundle,  he  slowly  and  gently  fixed  them,  in  the  form 
of  a  natural  bush,  in  the  snow  just  beyond  the  outer 
edge  of  the  boulder. 

"  There  now,  Governor,  I  don't  think  the  devils 
will  see  how  sudden  that  bush  growed  up  here,  unless 
they're  nearer  than  we  think  ;  and  they  won't  see  our 
noddles  through  the  stalks  neither.  I  claim  the  patent 
for  the  invention ;  so  I'll  take  fust  look,  and  then  give 
you  a  chance." 

So  saying,  he  threw  off  his  cap,  and,  cautiously  pok- 
ing his  head  forward  behind  the  little  screen,  took  a 
careful  survey  of  the  ground  below  them.  Then, 
drawing  back  again  behind  the  rock,  he  said,  in  a  tone 
of  high  satisfaction,  "  By  jimini,  Wishcomet,  they're 
right  there.  I  see  their  smoke  jest  over  the  trees 
where  the  brook  comes  into  the  lake.  You  take  a 
look  and  see  how  you  make  it  out." 

The  young  chieftain  now  applied  his  eye  in  turn  to 
the  openings  in  the  brush-wood.  He  made  a  leisurely 
survey  of  the  extensive  prospect  in  front  of  them,  and, 
drawing  himself  back,  replied  to  Sibley's  look  of  inter- 
rogation, "  They  are  there." 

"  Well,  boys,  now  for  the  signal.  Stand  up  in  a  line 
agin  the  rock,  and  put  yer  caps  on  yer  rifles." 


320  SAM  SHIRK: 

The  manoeuvre  was  instantly  performed  according 
to  the  direction ;  and  a  handkerchief  shaken  from  the 
little  square  window  in  the  distant  gable  of  Joe's  house 
showed  them  that  the  movement  was  seen  and  under- 
stood. Butler  himself  had  long  been  watching  their 
motions  through  Captain  Dee's  pocket-glass,  and  made 
the  answering  signal. 

"Now  we'll  start  down  again,"  said  Sibley.  Care- 
fully withdrawing  from  their  exposed  observatory,  the 
scouts  rejoined  their  comrades  below,  to  await  the  com- 
ing of  Butler  with  the  rest  of  the  company. 

Butler  and  William  Dee  descended  from  the  garret, 
where  they  had  kept  watch,  and  reported  the  result  to 
their  friends. 

"  All  right,  Captain  :  the  signal  has  been  given  that 
things  are  according  to  our  expectation.  There  can 
be  no  Indians  this  side  of  the  ridge ;  and  it  will  be  bet- 
ter to  start  immediately." 

"  Well,  James,  the  sooner  the  better,  if  at  all.  I 
have  been  thinking  here,  over  my  pipe,  that  it  isn't 
very  charitable  business  to  be  hunting  down  these  poor 
miserable  devils,  after  all." 

"  What's  the  alternative,  Captain  Dee  ?  They 
hunted  me  yesterday,  and  will  hunt  you  to-morrow  if  we 
don't  hunt  them  to-day.  It's  a  thing  to  be  avoided,  if 
possible  ;  but  how  can  you  do  it  ?  You  can't  tame 
them,  you  can't  frighten  them,  you  can't  coax  them. 
You  can't  fit  them  for  neighbors  to  civilized  men,  for 
they  won't  be  civilized.  You  and  I  must  give  up  our 
corn-fields,  or  they  must  lose  their  hunting-grounds  : 
there  is  no  reconciling  the  two.  I  have  thought  of 
this  too,  and  was  wishing  we  could  surround  and 
catch  these  fellows,  with  as  little  bloodshed  as  may  be. 
But  how  can  it  be  done,  and,  if  done,  where's  the 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.        321 

gain  ?  You  must  release  them  again,  with  heads  and 
hearts  fuller  than  ever  with  hatred  and  revenge,  or 

O     * 

keep  them  prisoners  for  life.  All  the  parsons  and 
schoolmasters  in  Maine  won't  change  them.  There's 
Wishcomet :  he's  the  only  Indian  I  ever  saw  that  seems 
capable  of  being  civilized.  I  sometimes  think  his 
blood  must  be  crossed.  And  even  he  is  as  Indian,  in 
some  respects,  as  the  best  of  them.  What  use  could 
you  put  him  to  in  one  of  our  towns  ?  You  may  as  well 
try  to  keep  partridges  in  a  barn-yard  instead  of  hens." 

"  Sure  enough,  James,  sure  enough.  Give  a  squaw 
a  gown,  and  she'll  tie  the  sleeves  round  her  neck,  and 
hang  it  down  her  back.  But  this  isn't  the  time  for 
talk ;  we  can't  mend  this  matter  now.  We  must  do 
the  best  we  can.  But  the  notion  of  taking  these  chaps 
alive  is  rather  chimerical,  as  you  say.  We  must  go 
ahead,  and  come  out  as  we  can." 

They  then  proceeded  to  summon  the  men  for  the 
march  ;  and  in  a  few  moments  all  left  the  house,  in  the 
same  way  the  others  had  done,  and  started  for  the 
beaver-dam. 

Butler  gave  out  his  orders  for  the  disposition  of  his 
little  force.  "  Archie  Campbell,  take  three  men  a  few 
rods  out  to  the  right ;  Laighton,  you  take  as  many  to 
the  left  flank.  I'll  take  Wishcomet's  three  men,  and 
look  out  in  front.  Make  no  noise,  but  push  along ; 
there  is  not  much  danger  of  interruption  just  here." 

A  quick  and  steady  pace  soon  brought  them  to  the 
rendezvous,  where  they  joined  the  reconnoitring 
party.  Sibley  and  Wishcomet  related  circumstantially 
to  Butler  and  the  rest  what  they  had  seen,  and  a  short 
halt  was  ordered  to  decide  finally  upon  the  mode  in 
which  the  information  thus  gained  should  be  turned  to 

account. 

21 


322  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  The  sun  will  set  in  less  than  an  hour.  We  ought 
to  be  at  our  posts  on  the  other  side  by  dark,  which  will 
give  us  a  short  two  hours  for  all  our  arrangements." 

"  That's  true,  Butler ;  but  I  think  we  can  arrange 
here,  and  very  quick  too,"  replied  Sibley.  "  They 
took  to  the  lake  this  mornin',  at  the  head  of  the  deep 
cove  on  the  sou'west  side,  close  to  the  bottom,  you 
know.  Now,  you  remember,  there's  an  island  runs  in 
the  rake  of  the  cove,  across  the  middle  of  the  water. 
These  chaps  won't  start  till  near  mornin',  or  say  mid- 
night. It'll  be  moonlight,  and  they'll  keep  down  the 
east  shore,  and  cross  under  the  shadow  of  the  island, 
to  keep  out  of  sight  as  much  as  they  can.  Besides,  it's 
altogether  the  easiest  and  shortest  way  to  cross  the 
ridge,  and  they'll  take  it  as  they  did  afore.  We  must 
ambush  'em  at  the  head  of  the  cove." 

"  What  do  you  think  of  this,  Wishcomet  ?  You 
know  the  ground  well." 

"  I  think  Sibley  is  right.  They'll  come  that  way  ; 
and  if  they  should  go  off  below  at  the  outlet,  we  shall 
be  behind,  and  can  cut  them  off." 

"  Just  so,  and  I  don't  see  what  better  we  can  do. 
How  does  it  strike  you,  Captain  Dee  ?  " 

"  It's  far  the  likeliest  plan  in  my  mind,"  replied 
Dee. 

"  Then  so  let  it  be.  Now,  men,  we'll  take  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  to  rest.  Do  up  all  your  eating,  smoking, 
and  talking  before  we  start.  We  must  push  for  the 
spot,  and  be  still  as  death  when  we  get  there,  or  our 
game's  up  at  once.  Take  your  ease  now  ;  then  for 
work." 

In  obedience  to  Butler's  suggestion,  the  party  now 
prepared  themselves  for  the  night's  work.  Some  ate 
and  drank,  some  lighted  their  pipes  ;  all  looked  to  their 
flints,  and  freshened  the  priming  of  their  rifles. 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         323 

"  It  will  be  of  no  use  to  try  to  conceal  our  tracks  on 
this  side,  will  it,  Joe  ?  "  asked  Butler. 

"  Not  a  mite  of  use.  All  we  want  is  to  get  where 
we're  bound  without  their  knowin'  on't.  I'll  bet 
they'll  never  see  our  tracks,  unless  we  bring  'em  back 
this  way,  with  their  hands  tied  behind  their  backs." 

"  Well,  Joe,  if  Wishcomet  and  Succobash  will  go 
with  me,  I'll  strike  off  to  the  north,  and  try  to  get  a 
peep  over  the  ridge  about  opposite  where  we  take  'em 
to  be.  I  am  anxious  to  make  sure  of  their  camp  if  I 
can ;  then  we  shall  know  better  what  to  count  on. 
We'll  come  down  the  ridge  and  join  you  by  dark. 
But  you  must  lead  the  men  over  and  post  them  ;  no- 
body can  do  it  better  than  you." 

"  I'll  do  my  best.  If  I  don't  suit  you,  you  can  shift 
things  to  your  mind,  after  you  come  in." 

"  O,  no  fear ;  we've  talked  the  matter  pretty  well 
over  together,  and  I  can't  mend  your  plan  at  all.  Only 
be  careful ;  don't  let  a  soul  show  himself,  or  give  them 
a  chance  to  suspect.  Wishcomet,  will  you  and  Suc- 
cobash back  me?  " 

"  I'll  go  with  you  anywhere  ;  and  Succobash  will 
go  with  me." 

"  Let's  be  off,  then.  You'd  better  be  moving  too, 
Joe." 

Butler,  with  his  two  companions,  now  went  off  up 
the  ridge,  at  a  broad  angle  with  the  course  taken  by 
the  main  body,  which  was  guided  by  Sibley  so  as  to 
cross  just  in  the  rear  of  the  exposed  summit  of  the 
mountain,  while  the  direction  pursued  by  Butler  was 
but  slightly  diagonal  to  that  of  the  ridge  itself.  The 
highlands  sloped  gradually  and  regularly  to  the  north- 
ward from  the  summit  of  the  mountain  which  crowned 
its  southern  extremity,  and  formed  the  dividing  line 


324  SAM  SHIRK: 

between  the  waters  of  the  Mopang  on  the  east  and  the 
valley  of  the  Narraguagus  River  on  the  west.  Directly 
under  the  steep  declivity  of  its  eastern  side  was  the 
broad  Mopang  Lake.  Its  foot  lay  directly  opposite  the 
spot  where  the  halt  had  been  made  at  the  head-waters 
of  the  little  tributary  of  the  Narraguagus.  To  reach 
the  deep  bay  at  its  lower  extremity,  already  spoken  of, 
it  was  necessary  to  cross  the  hilly  barrier  perpendicu- 
larly, or  by  a  course  about  due  east.  It  was  Butler's 
object  to  cross  it  two  miles  farther  north  and  to  come 
out  on  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  lake,  opposite 
to  the  northeastern  angle,  where  the  hostile  Indians 
were  supposed  to  be  hidden.  Leaving  for  the  pres- 
ent the  bulk  of  our  adventurers  under  Sibley's  lead, 
we  will  follow  the  steps  of  the  little  reconnoitring  party. 
Skirting  the  upper  edge  of  the  low  grounds,  they  trav- 
ersed diagonally  the  belt  of  hemlocks,  spruces,  and 
scattered  pines,  that  chiefly  composed  the  growth  upon 
the  lower  slopes,  till  they  reached  the  more  open  woods 
of  maples,  birches,  and  beeches  that  covered  the  flanks 
of  the  ridge.  The  surface  of  the  ground,  in  the  black 
growth,  as  the  woodsmen  designate  the  resinous  trees 
from  the  deep  and  dull  tone  of  their  foliage,  was  ob- 
structed with  the  trailing  underwood  that  struggles  for 
a  feeble  existence  in  the  shade  of  its  lofty  competitors. 
The  verdure  of  the  umbrella-like  tops,  far  up  overhead, 
acknowledging  the  failure  of  the  generous  sap  of  sum- 
mer days  only  by  a  duller  tint  of  green,  shut  out  the 
waning  brilliancy  of  the  declining  sun.  A  dim  shade 
pervaded  the  evergreen  forest ;  and  the  columnar  trunks 
of  the  thickly  set  trees,  interlaced  with  the  humbler 
spray  that  occupied  the  spaces  between,  bounded  the 
possibility  of  vision  to  a  narrow  space.  A  russet  pali- 
sade, advancing  with  the  advance  of  the  wayfarers,  en- 


-1   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         325 

circled  them  around  ;  and  the  deep  shadow,  which  was 
but  partially  modified  by  the  noonday  sun,  mocked  at 
the  feeble  radiance  of  the  western  sky.  Thus,  while 
the  mantle  of  spotless  snow,  that  wrapped  in  its  dazzling 
expanse  the  surface  of  the  ground,  rendered  the  mi- 
nutest twig  that  dropped  upon  its  surface  or  the  smallest 
stem  that  rose  through  its  bosom  almost  painfully  dis- 
tinct within  a  limited  compass,  a  few  rods  from  either 
side,  the  constantly  intercepted  distance  was  entirely 
shut  out  from  sight.  But,  in  the  zone  where  the  de- 
ciduous trees  became  the  predominant  occupiers  of  the 
soil,  the  atmosphere  brightened.  The  straggling  bushes 
became  rare,  while  the  western  sun  poured  in  among 
the  bared  branches  upon  the  dazzling  carpet  of  snow. 
The  shadows  of  the  tall  skeletons  of  the  trees  were 
drawn  distinctly  upon  the  glittering  white  surface  ;  and 
wherever  a  withered  leaf  still  clung  tenaciously  to  its 
stalk  above,  a  mimic  shadow  fluttered  and  swayed  to 
and  fro  below.  The  sparser  and  smaller  trunks  also 
permitted  a  more  comprehensive  range  to  the  eye. 
Nevertheless,  at  a  certain  distance,  and  that  not  a  re- 
mote one,  the  continuous  and  unbroken  forest  bounded 
in  the  view  with  its  living  wall. 

As  they  drew  near  to  the  point  where  they  purposed 
to  cross  the  height  of  land  and  descend  towards  the 
head  of  the  lake,  on  its  further  side,  Butler  said  to  his 
companions,  — 

"  It  may  be  that  we  should  stumble  upon  a  scout  of 
the  enemy  hereabouts.  It  is  far  from  the  settlement 
and  near  their  camp  ;  and  they  may  think  it  worth 
while  to  watch  this  side  of  the  ridge  a  little.  I  think 

O 

we  must  go  along  cautiously,Wishcomet.  Suppose  we 
should  let  Succobash  move  a  few  rods  ahead  of  us. 
If  he  was  seen,  he  would  hardly  be  taken  for  one  of  a 


326  SAM  SHIRK: 

white  party,  dressed  as  he  is.  He  would  pass  for  one 
of  themselves  or  a  stray  hunter.  He  can  give  us  a 
signal  in  time  to  keep  out  of  sight.  If  they  see  only 
him,  they  would  be  puzzled  at  least,  if  not  entirely 
misled.  But  if  they  should  pursue  us,  we  must  draw 
them  away  from  the  lake  ;  and  when  it  grows  dark, 
shift  as  well  as  we  can. 

"  Right,"  rejoined  the  Sachem  ;  and  turning  to  Suc- 
cobash,  who  was  following  just  behind,  he  spoke  a  few 
words  in  their  own  tongue.  Succobash  then  passed  to 
the  front ;  while  his  two  companions  paused  till  he  at- 
tained a  distance  just  within  range  of  sight,  when  they 
resumed  their  own  progress,  keeping  a  constant  eye 
upon  his  form,  as  it  alternately  disappeared  and  reap- 
peared among  the  trees.  No  interruption,  however, 
occurred ;  and  Butler,  judging  that  they  had  reached 
a  point  as  high  as  desirable,  after  a  time  called  in 
Succobash  by  a  gesture,  and  directed  him  to  strike  to 
the  eastward  through  a  swale,  which  marked  with  a 
slight  depression  the  interval  between  two  of  the  roll- 
ing hills  that  composed  the  chain.  Passing  the  height 
of  land,  thev  soon  reached  the  channel  of  a  small 

tt 

brook  which  wound  downwards,  carrying  the  waters 
of  the  declivities  into  the  lake.  Its  narrow  icy  bed 
formed  a  path,  at  once  easy  to  travel  and  sure  to 
lead  them  speedily  to  the  desired  termination.  It 
soon  brought  them  to  the  foot  of  the  slope  ;  and  the 
frequent  breaks  in  the  tree-tops  before  them  warned 
them  that  they  were  upon  the  borders  of  the  basin. 
The  utmost  circumspection  was  now  necessary  to 
avoid  discovery  from  the  keen  eyes  that  were  supposed 
to  be  occupying  the  further  shore.  Succobash  was 
again  called  in  ;  and  the  whole  party  halted  to  sur- 
vey the  ground,  and  select  a  spot  whence  they  might 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         327 

safely  command  a  view  of  the  ice-bound  sheet.  The 
little  stream  here  issued  into  the  broad  lake,  that  re- 
ceived its  tribute,  through  a  small  savannah  or  inter- 

*  O 

val,  skirted  both  above  and  below  by  bold  bluffs  that 
terminated  on  the  shore.  Upon  the  outer  face  of  the 
lowermost  knoll,  a  huge  hemlock,  upturned  by  the 
fierce  winds  sweeping  across  the  water,  lay  prostrate 
upon  the  ground  with  its  roots  turned  up  into  the  air. 
Wishcomet  pointed  to  this  natural  breastwork. 

"  Yes,  Sachem,  that's  the  very  chance  for  us.  Just 
such  a  cover,  as  I  was  lucky  enough  to  find  in  good 
time  yesterday.  We  can  see  all  we  want  from  behind 
that  old  fellow.  Succobash,  creep  through  the  alders 
down  yonder  and  look  round  on  the  other  side  of  the 
horse-back  opposite  ;  and  make  sure  that  there's  no- 
body watching  ws."  In  a  few  minutes  the  Indian  re- 
turned and  reported  that  all  was  quiet  beyond.  The 
three  then  ascended  the  knoll  in  front  and  gained  the 
shelter  of  the  fallen  tree.  Depositing  their  guns 
against  the  trunk,  the  young  chief  and  Butler  carefully 
surveyed  the  prospect  in  front  through  the  loops  of  the 
tangled  roots,  while  Succobash  stood  a  watchful  sen- 
tinel upon  the  hill-side  a  few  paces  behind  them. 


328  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

WHEN  they  had  taken  up  their  position,  the  Sachem 
pointed  out  to  his  companion  a  cluster  of  large  rocks 
scattered  at  the  furthermost  corner  of  the  lake,  behind 
which  opened  a  meadow  running  a  short  distance  into 
the  forest. 

"  The  brook  comes  in  through  that  meadow. 
You  can  see  their  smoke  in  the  woods  behind.  We 
must  be  careful ;  there  will  be  eyes  behind  those  big 
stones." 

Butler  looked  in  the  direction  pointed  out,  and  clear- 
ly distinguished  the  light  wreath  of  vapor  curling  up 
above  the  trees  into  the  clear  air.  For  a  short  time, 
both  gazed  intently  on  the  shore  ;  but  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  faint  column  that  shadowed  the  blue  sky, 
no  sign  of  life  could  be  detected.  The  level  rays  of 
the  sun  glinted  over  the  frozen  mirror,  bathing  in  a 
clear  bright  glitter  the  blue  ice  and  the  shining  girdle 
of  snow  that  bordered  round  the  edge  of  the  forest. 

O 

On  their  own  side,  the  deep  shadows  of  the  lofty  hills 
behind  them  buried  every  object  in  a  dusky  obscurity, 
in  strong  contrast  with  the  sharply  defined  and  bril- 
liantly lighted  outlines  that  reflected  upon  the  opposite 
shore  the  clear,  golden  rays  of  the  wintry  sunset. 

"  It  seems  as  if  we  could  see  every  pine  twig  over 
yonder,  in  this  pure  atmosphere.  How  beautiful  the 
sunlight  is,  Sachem,  among  the  rocks  and  on  the  banks 


A   TALE  OF  THE  WOODS   OF  MAINE.         329 

and  the  smooth  surface  of  the  lake  !  How  superbly  it 
flashes  on  the  ice  and  snow  !  and  how  magnificently  it 
gilds  the  front  of  the  dark  and  solemn  woods !  Wish- 
comet,  all  this  speaks  a  language  that  we  both  can  un- 
derstand equally  well." 

It  was  not  till  after  a  slight  pause  that  the  young 
chief  replied  in  a  low,  melancholy  tone,  "  The  Great 
Spirit  is  good,  and  the  world  is  beautiful."  But  the 
admission  was  concluded  by  a  deep  sigh,  in  sad  contrast 
with  the  frank  and  cheerful  buoyancy  of  Butler's  com- 
ment, which  induced  his  young  companion  to  turn  and 
look  him  fully  in  the  face.  He  saw  and  appreciated 
the  sadness  that  shadowed  the  dark  eye  of  the  Sachem ; 
and  the  joyous  admiration  that  lighted  up  his  own 
features,  instantly  gave  way  to  an  expression  of  deep 
sympathy.  He  stretched  out  his  hand  silently  to  his 
comrade,  who  pressed  it  with  convulsive  emotion. 

"  Never  mind,  Wishcomet ;  you  have  done  your 
duty,  and  I  know  you  always  will.  Be  of  good  cheer, 
and  remember  that  James  Butler  will  always  be  an 
honest  friend  to  you  and  yours." 

The  bosom  of  the  chief  heaved  with  his  struggling 
feelings  ;  but  he  did  not  trust  himself  to  speak.  He 
again  silently  wrung  James's  proffered  hand,  while  a 
gleam  of  melancholy  gratitude  spread  a  transient  smile 
upon  his  countenance.  The  young  men  turned  again 
to  their  watch,  in  the  hope  of  yet  obtaining  some  more 
definite  information.  Scarcely  had  they  resumed  their 
stand,  when  a  low  hiss  from  Succobash  aroused  their 
attention  to  a  sharp,  light  clatter  on  the  ice  below 
them.  Directly  a  fine  buck  came  rushing  up  the  lake 
in  front  of  them,  closely  pursued  by  two  gaunt  wolves. 
The  ice  was  hard  and  slippery,  but  the  sharp- 
edged  hoofs  of  the  deer  enabled  him  to  traverse  it  with 


330  SAM  SHIRK: 

tolerable  security,  while  it  was  evident  that  the  claws 
of  his  pursuers  were  less  adapted  to  its  unyielding  and 
glassy  surface.  They  toiled  along  in  a  heavy  gallop, 
while  the  deer  bounded  ahead  in  elastic  leaps,  that 
promised  speedily  to  distance  his  pursuers.  As  the 
chase  drew  near,  however,  it  became  apparent  to  the 
experienced  eye  of  a  practiced  hunter  that  the  poor 
animal  was  hard  run  ;  and  that  his  airy  and  rapid 
bounds  were  the  exertions  of  desperate  terror  rather 
than  of  vigorous  power.  Distress  and  exhaustion  were 
plainly  visible.  His  tongue  hung  languidly  from  his 
mouth,  his  sides  were  heaving  painfully,  and  every 
spring  was  evidently  shorter  and  heavier  than  the  pre- 
ceding. 

"  Poor  fellow,"  said  Butler,  "  those  devils  will  soon 
pull  him  down  ;  they  are  death  on  a  long  chase." 

The  buck  now  turned  his  head  ;  and,  as  he  saw  his 
deadly  enemies  gaining  upon  him  at  every  step,  ex- 
treme terror  seemed  to  exhaust  his  remaining  energies. 
His  pace  rapidly  slackened,  and  the  indefatigable  pur- 
suers pressed  hard  upon  his  heels.  At  last  the  fore- 
most wolf  came  up  alongside,  and  made  a  furious  spring 
at  the  throat  of  his  flying  prey.  The  imminent  peril 
aroused  the  flagging  energies  of  his  victim.  Leaping 
to  a  great  height,  he  sprang  side  wise  over  his  assailant, 
and  started  off,  at  right  angles,  directly  for  the  bank 
where  the  little  patrol  was  hidden.  Butler  instinct- 
ively seized  his  rifle,  and  cocked  it,  but  immediately 
let  down  the  hammer  again,  and  said,  smiling,  — 

"  What  a  boy  I  am  behaving  like !  but,  faith,  I 
would  give  a  farm,  almost,  to  be  able  to  shoot  those 
two  miscreants." 

"  And  then  to  shoot  the  deer,"  added  Wishcomet, 
in  a  tone  of  melancholy  sportiveness. 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        331 

"  Ah,  that  speech  is  a  little  malicious,  Sachem.  But 
see,  the  wolves  are  on  the  track  again.  The  scamps 
had  to  make  a  long  round  to  turn  upon  the  slippery- 
ice.  That  big  gray  one,  that  made  the  dash,  slid  on 
his  belly  more  than  a  rod,  before  he  could  bring  up." 

The  gaunt  beasts  now  closed  again  in  their  long 
swinging  pace,  and  were  once  more  almost  side  by 
side  with  their  prey.  Frantically  the  poor  buck  sped 
on,  and  doggedly  his  pursuers  followed.  Again  the 
foremost  wolf  made  his  spring,  and  this  time  with  more 
effect ;  for  he  reached  the  neck  of  the  deer,  and  in- 
flicted a  slight  wound.  But  the  sudden  shock  over- 
threw both  pursuer  and  pursued.  Both  of  them  lost 
their  hold  upon  their  slippery  footing,  and  rolled 
over  and  over  on  the  ice  ;  while  the  second  wolf  shot 
ahead,  unable  immediately  to  arrest  his  career.  For 
a  second  or  two,  the  ferocious  beast  of  prey  and  the 
timid  deer  lay  panting  and  overdone  upon  the  ice, 
within  a  few  feet  of  each  other.  But  again  the  wolf 
gathered  himself  up  for  a  spring  ;  and  the  trembling 
animal  beside  him,  catching  the  threatening  movement 
in  his  anxious  eye,  scrambled  hastily  up  and  com- 
menced his  flight  anew,  followed  by  both  of  his  perti- 
nacious enemies.  He  now  directed  his  course  exactly 
for  the  northeastern  corner  of  the  lake,  and  rapidly 
approached  the  rocks  at  the  mouth  of  the  gully. 

"  Now,"  said  Butler,  "  we  shall  soon  see  whether 
there  is  any  one  out  yonder." 

The  panting  fugitive  came  up  with  the  cluster  of 
rocks  and  within  a  few  rods  of  the  woods,  the  wolves 
again  close  upon  his  heels.  But  now  a  little  glancing 
point  shot  out  from  behind  one  of  the  boulders,  just 
visible  as  it  flew  through  the  air,  and  the  headmost 
wolf  lay  at  his  length  upon  the  ice,  transfixed  with  an 


332  SAM  SHIRK: 

arrow.  A  second  shaft  was  immediately  twanged  into 
the  thigh  of  the  other,  arresting  his  career ;  and  a 
third  brought  him  also  to  the  ground.  The  sorely 
beset  buck,  swerving  from  this  demonstration,  rushed 
towards  the  shore  beyond,  and  was  lost  to  view  in  the 
dense  forest. 

"  Ah !  that's  all  right,"  said  Butler.  "  The  poor 
beast  has  saved  himself,  after  all ;  and  those  two 
rascals  have  got  their  deserts.  I  wonder  they  didn't 
shoot  the  buck  too." 

"  Probably  they  have  venison  enough  in  their  camp, 
and  didn't  want  him.  But  the  wolf-skins  are  in  prime 
order  ;  and  Indians  know,  the  fewer  wolves,  the  more 
deer." 

"  That's  it.  But  look  sharp,  Sachem,  they're  steal- 
ing out  after  the  wolves.  They  can't  have  any  suspi- 
cion of  being  watched,  or  they'd  wait  till  dark.  One, 
two,  three,  —  and  I  see  a  fourth,  among  the  stones, 
looking  down  the  lake." 

O 

They  stood  still  a  few  minutes,  during  which  the 
carcasses  of  the  wolves  were  dragged  off,  and  the  In- 
dians disappeared  again  from  their  view. 

"  We  need  stop  no  longer,  Wishcomet.  We  have 
seen  all  that  we  shall  see,  and,  indeed,  all  that  we 
want.  Let's  creep  down  now,  and  join  our  friends 
below." 

They  then  carefully  descended  the  rear  of  the  little 
hill,  and,  striking  into  the  woods  sufficiently  to  secure 
them  from  observation,  moved  quickly  down  the  side 
of  the  water.  The  night  was  fast  settling  around. 
The  shadows  of  the  woods  projected  far  over  the  ice, 
and  the  lingering  rays  from  the  west  were  rapidly  dis- 
placed by  gray  tints,  and  these  by  black,  till  darkness 
enwrapped  the  whole  landscape,  excepting  the  dim  out- 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        333 

line  to  be  traced  by  the  light  of  the  stars  that  now 
shone  bright  in  the  clear  cold  sky.  A  rapid  walk 
brought  them  soon  to  the  spot  where  Sibley  had  con- 
cealed his  men  ;  and  Sibley  himself,  who  was  on  the 
lookout  in  the  advance,  stepped  from  behind  the  trunk 
of  a  huge  pine  to  welcome  them  back. 

"  Well,  what  news  ?  " 

The  result  of  the  reconnoitring  was  soon  detailed. 
Succobash  joined  his  comrades,  while  Joe,  Butler,  and 
Wishcomet  carefully  reviewed  the  ground  and  the  ar- 
rangement that  had  been  made.  A  ^ove  of  nearly 
triangular  shape  ran  up  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  into 
the  land.  A  brook  which  drained  a  series  of  swamps 
entered  its  upper  extremity.  The  banks  on  either 
side,  were  bold,  and  swelled,  at  a  very  short  distance 
from  the  water,  into  wooded  "  horsebacks,"  or  long 
narrow  hills,  until  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the 
brook ;  where  they  diverged  again  from  each  other, 
and  melted  into  rolling  highlands  inclosing  a  succes- 
sion of  swamps,  thickly  wooded  with  the  white  cedar 
and  hacmatack,  and  fringed  with  thickets  of  alder. 

"  There,  Butler,  there's  the  island,  you  see,  that  I 
told  you  of,  jest  off  the  mouth  of  the  cove.  Now  the 
moon  will  be  up  in  two  hours,  and  the  lake  be  as  light 
as  day.  When  those  chaps  move,  they'll  keep  the 
woods  on  t'other  side  as  long  as  they  can.  Now  to 
cross  at  the  outlet  below  will  take  'em  too  far  down. 
They  must  come  across  behind  the  island.  But  when 
they  get  into  the  cove,  where '41  they  land?  That's 
the  question." 

"  Why,  Joe,  for  the  very  same  reason  that  they  keep 
in  the  shadow  of  the  island,  they  will  strike  directly 
over  to  the  south  shore  of  the  cove,  and  take  the  woods 
there." 


834  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  You're  right,  James.     An't  it  so,  Wishcomet  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  chief. 

"  Then  the  men  must  be  posted  differently ;  now 
let's  settle  that.  We  want  to  cut  'em  off  from  a 
chance  to  retreat  up  the  lake  again." 

"  I  see  but  one  way  to  do  that.  Let  eight  or  ten  of 
the  men  hide  down  in  this  little  hollow,  just  over  the 
bank.  A  sentry  or  two  must  be  kept  on  the  watch 
here.  When  the  Indians  have  passed  off  the  lake, 
they  must  hang  on  their  rear.  Meanwhile  we  must 
ambush  the  rest,  as  nearly  as  we  can  judge,  upon  the 
line  they  will  follow.  That  will  probably  be  either  on 
the  side  of  the  horseback  or  up  the  swamp  upon  the 
ice.  If  the  men  are  put  over  the  south  side  of  the 
hill,  we  shall  have  them  in  flank  and  rear." 

"  Can't  do  better,  Butler.     That'll  fix  'em,  I  guess." 

"  There's  one  thing  more,  Joe.  Can't  we  contrive 
some  way  to  trap  the  lot  of  them.  If  we  attack  them, 
we  shall  have  to  fight  it  out  till  most  of  them  are  shot 
down,  and  probably  some  of  us  too.  Now,  if  we  could 
capture  the  poor  devils,  take  away  their  guns,  and 
send  them  home  with  a  good  scaring,  it  will  be  better 
than  killing  half  of  them,  won't  it  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  suppose  it  will,  James,"  replied  Sibley,  in 
a  doubtful  and  disappointed  tone.  "  But  blast  their 
skins  !  I've  got  all  ready  to  fight  'em,  and  it's  a  darned 
pity  to  have  so  much  trouble  for  nothing.  The  boys 
won't  like  it  nohow." 

"  I'm  afraid  they  won't,  Joe.  But  I  can  coax  them. 
The  worst  of  the  matter  is  that  I  don't  see  exactly  how 
to  manage  the  Indians.  It's  something  like  drawing  a 
wolfs  teeth.  I  must  think  about  it ;  and  meanwhile 
we  must  post  the  men.  If  you  will  take  command  of 
the  main  body,  I'll  watch  here  with  Wishcomet  and 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         335 

Succobash  and  four  or  five  more.  But  I  must  have 
good  stuff  with  me  here.  There'll  be  no  backing  out 
for  us." 

"  Well,  take  your  pick.  I'll  take  charge  of  the  rest, 
if  you  say  so." 

They  now  proceeded  to  the  spot  where  Joe  had  left 
his  band,  and  after  careful  examination  of  the  forma- 
tion of  the  land,  established  them  in  a  dense  growth 
in  the  hollow  behind  the  horseback  ridge  that  skirted 
the  south  side  of  the  swamp.  Butler  then  selected  six 
men,  and  returned  with  them  and  his  two  Indian  com- 
panions to  the  northern  point  of  the  cove.  Here  he 
placed  his  white  comrades  in  the  well  screened,  wood- 
ed hollow,  and  sent  Succobash  a  few  rods  up  the 
shore  of  the  lake  to  watch  the  approach  of  the  enemy, 
while  himself  and  Wishcomet  occupied  a  carefully  con- 
cealed post  of  observation,  near  the  extreme  point  of 
the  cove,  for  the  same  purpose.  Just  upon  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  bank,  a  compact  clump  of  small  firs  ran, 
like  a  screen,  for  a  rod  or  two  on  the  edge  of  the  for- 
est. Behind  this  green  parapet  Butler  and  the  Sachem 
seated  themselves  upon  a  fallen  trunk,  alternately  ris- 
ing to  look  abroad,  and  whiling  away  the  time  in  whis- 
pered conversation. 

The  last  faint  reflection  from  the  western  sky  had 
long  vanished,  and  darkness  and  silence  had  taken 
joint  possession  of  the  woods.  The  tall  trunks  of  the 
trees  arose,  dimly  visible  for  a  few  paces  around  the 
watchers  ;  but,  above  and  around,  at  a  little  distance 
all  was  visionless  and  black,  except  that  here  and  there 
a  star  might  be  seen  twinkling  through  the  tree-tops  in 
the  far-off  sky.  The  gentle  night-breeze  swept  over 
the  surface  of  the  forest  with  its  deep,  mysterious 
moanings.  Other  sight  or  sound  there  was  none ;  as 


336  SAM  SHIRK: 

if  the  little  spot  occupied  by  the  sentinels  were  taken 
out  of  the  world  of  man  and  enveloped  with  the  origi- 
nal darkness  of  chaos.  The  snow-covered  ground  at 
their  feet  gave  forth  a  feeble  reflection  ;  and  the  stars 
diffused  a  dull  leaden  hue  over  the  ice,  out  upon  the 
lake.  The  snow  glimmered  upon  and  sharply  defined 
the  edge  of  the  opposite  shore,  and  the  line  of  trees 
was  traced  dimly  against  the  sky. 

"  Wishcomet,"  said  Butler,  "  I  have  been  thinking 
how  to  manage  this  matter  without  so  much  bloodshed ; 
and  I  can  contrive  but  one  way,  and  that  is  rather  haz- 
ardous. Can  you  speak  Iroquois  ?  " 

"  Very  little  ;  but  Succobash  does  pretty  well." 

"  Then  I  think  I  can  manage  it.  But  it  will  be  a 
nice  affair.  I  can't  do  it  without  you.  Succobash,  go 
ask  Sibley  to  come  here.  Mind  you  go  round  on  the 
ice ;  it  won't  do  to  have  the  ground  tracked  up  like  a 
cow-yard." 

Succobash  soon  performed  his  errand,  and  Sibley 
returned  with  him. 

u  Joe,  were  you  careful  to  make  no  tracks  about, 
that  would  tell  tales?" 

"  Yes.  I  an't  so  simple  as  not  to  look  arter  that, 
when  it  comes  to  trappin'  Indians.  We  made  but  one 
print  comin'  down  the  ridge  ;  and  then  I  kept  the  men 
on  the  hard  ice  yonder,  till  we  moved  off  to  our  am- 
bush. We  all  trod  in  one  track  too,  till  we  got  down 
into  the  holler.  The  crust  on  this  snow  is  e'en  a'most 
as  hard  as  ice  ;  and  I  know  'twould  puzzle  old  Nick  to 
tell  much  by  the  trail.  I  hardly  think  you  can-  see  it 
by  moonlight.  We've  all  got  moccasins  on." 

"  Well,  so  far  good.     Now  hear  my  plan." 

Butler  then  detailed  his  scheme  to  his  companions. 
We  shall  leave  it  to  develop  itself  in  the  course  of 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         337 

events.  After  full  explanation,  and  various  objections 
raised  by  Sibley  and  provided  for  by  Butler,  Joe  gave 
a  rather  reluctant  assent,  and  prepared  to  return  to  his 
post. 

"  Well,  James,  if  you  will  have  it  so,  you  must ;  and 
we'll  try  to  do  our  part.  But  why  can't  you  let  all 
take  their  chance  together  ?  I  shall  be  all-fired  sorry 
if  it  don't  work  well,  and  you  get  into  trouble." 

"  O,  never  worry,  Joe.  The  Sachem  and  I  can 
both  either  run  or  fight,  as  well  as  most  men  ;  and  it 
he  will  venture  it,  I  will.  I  was  obliged  to  kill  one  of 
these  fellows  yesterday ;  and  if  I  can  get  the  upper 
hand  of  the  rest,  and  yet  save  their  lives,  I  think  I 
shall  sleep  the  better  for  it." 

"  Well,  be  darned  keerful.     It  an't  no  boys'  play." 

"  I  know  that  very  well.  But  we'll  try  it  when  the 
moon  gets  well  up." 

The  discussion  over,  Sibley  went  down  again  into 
the  swamp  with  Succobash,  and,  as  they  went  along, 
suggested  certain  propositions  to  the  Indian  that  elic- 
ited from  him  an  expression  of  earnest  concurrence. 
But  we  shall  not,  at  present,  betray  their  confidence. 
They  rejoined  the  main  body,  and  the  arrangements 
required  to  meet  Butler's  plan  were  made  with  silent 
promptitude. 

Soon  after  James  and  Wishcomet  were  left  alone, 
the  hour  at  which  the  moon  rose,  arrived.  A  faint 
tinge  showed  itself  upon  the  eastern  sky,  brightening 
into  a  halo  of  silvery  light  that  continually  widened  into 
a  larger  semicircle,  and  deepened,  at  its  centre,  with  a 
rosy  refulgence,  from  which  at  last  shot  forth  scattered 
rays  that  glittered  on  the  tops  of  the  highest  trees,  and 
lighted  up  point  after  point  of  every  projecting  object ; 
as  if  shaded  lamps  were  suddenly  hung  about  the 
22 


338  SAM  SHIRK: 

woods.  In  a  few  moments  more,  the  mellow  and  soft 
radiance,  overtopping  the  deep  screen  behind  which  it 
had  been  veiled,  threw  strong  patches  of  illumination 
upward  upon  every  salient  point.  The  outlines  of  the 
trees  became  visible,  as  if  they  had  actually  grown  out 
of  chaos  before  the  eye ;  and  the  shadows  crept  away 
into  the  deep  recesses.  Light  diffused  itself  fast  over 
the  open  expanse  of  the  lake  ;  and  the  scene,  which 
intense  darkness  had  seemed  to  annihilate,  was  recon- 
structed, as  by  a  magic  that  breathed  over  it  a  fairy 
atmosphere  of  light  and  shade,  far  more  beautiful  than 
the  harsher  outlines  and  distincter  characters  of  day. 

In  about  an  hour,  the  moon  rode  in  the  blue  sky  far 
above  the  loftiest  tree-tops ;  and  the  whole  landscape 
received,  through  the  transparent  atmosphere  of  the 
March  night,  the  full  power  of  her  rays.  Every  parti- 
cle of  moisture,  set  free  by  the  warmth  of  the  sun  dur- 
ing the  previous  day,  was  congealed  in  frost-work  that 
sparkled  with  a  tremulous  reflection  of  witching  deli- 
cacy and  beauty.  The  deep  bosom  of  the  woods  still 
held  masses  of  shadow,  rendered  all  the  darker  by  the 
intense  contrast,  until  the  scenery  seemed  a  magnifi- 
cent panorama,  carved  of  ebony  and  chased  and  frosted 
with  glittering  silver.  A  clear  reflection  glimmered 
up  from  the  surface  of  the  ice,  and  spread  a  gauzy  veil 
over  the  lower  zone  of  the  prospect,  that  softened  even 
while  it  brightened  its  general  tone.  But  the  upper 
air  was  lucid  and  serene,  as  if  mist  or  cloud  could 
never  dim  its  purity ;  and  the  more  luminous  stars  and 
planets  shone  through  its  blue  depths,  scarcely  shorn 
of  a  ray  by  the  brilliancy  of  the  glorious  moonlight. 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        339 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

BUTLER  and  the  chief  sat  for  another  hour;  then 
they  arose,  examined  the  priming  of  their  guns,  and 
started  upon  their  expedition  up  the  shore  of  the  lake. 
Retiring  into  the  depths  of  the  woods  until  safe  from 
observation,  they  again  turned  their  faces  northward, 
and,  in  less  than  an  hour,  reached  the  little  hillock 
from  the  top  of  which  they  had,  at  nightfall,  recon- 
noitred the  opposite  side.  Sheltering  themselves  once 
more  behind  the  roots  of  the  fallen  tree,  they  sat  down 
to  gather  breath  for  the  perilous  movement  they  now 
purposed  to  make,  and  to  take  a  preliminary  survey  of 
the  ground.  Before  them  spread  the  sparkling  ice  ; 
and  on  its  further  verge,  the  huge  boulders  arose  in 
the  distance  before  the  mouth  of  the  gully,  throwing  a 
heavy  shadow  upon  the  bright  surface,  and  distinct  as 
if  the  mile  or  more  that  intervened  were  but  a  rifle- 
shot. All  was  motionless  and  still,  and  the  deep  wall 
of  bronzed  shadow  girt  the  opposite  shore  in  a  voice- 
less quiet,  as  if  no  animate  life  had  any  portion  in  its 
mysterious  solitude. 

"  Now,  Wishcomet,  we  must  be  wide  awake.  Yet 
we  must  not  make  too  much  display,  or  these  fellows 
will  suspect  a  trick,  and  our  plan  will  fail.  We  must 
try  to  make  them  take  us  for  two  belated  hunters  on 
their  way  homeward,  or  we  shall  not  get  them  to  fol- 
low us  into  the  ambuscade.  If  they  doubt  us,  they 
will  either  lie  still  or  make  a  rush  for  our  scalps." 


840  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  All  we  can  do  is  to  take  the  ice,  as  if  we  sought 
it  for  smooth  walking,  and  go  steadily  down,"  replied 
the  Sachem.  "  I  think  they  will  follow  through  the 
woods  on  the  other  shore.  If  they  rush  upon  us,  we 
must  take  to  the  bank  again,  and  make  a  running  fight 
among  the  trees." 

"  Well,  we'll  start  in  a  few  minutes,  and  take  our 
chance." 

This  short  consultation  terminated,  they  turned 
again  to  vigilant  watch  of  the  hostile  quarter.  Before 
they  had  been  thus  employed  more  than  a  minute  or 
two,  they  heard  the  hoot  of  an  owl  breaking  the 
death-like  stillness,  apparently  near  the  angle  of  the 
lake  on  their  own  side  and  just  above  them.  The  gut- 
tural whoop  rang  through  the  air  with  a  startling  dis- 
tinctness ;  then  all  was  silent  again. 

"  Hush,  Butler,"  whispered  the  chief,  and,  after  wait- 
ing a  moment,  added,  "  only  one  whoop.  That  bird 
was  frightened  from  his  perch.  He  isn't  calling  to  his 
mate.  There's  something  in  the  woods  above  on  our 
side.  We  must  either  hide  or  go  back." 

"  I  can't  give  it  up  yet,  Sachem,  if  you  will  stand 
by  me.  Let  us  hide  here  and  see  a  little  further  into 
it." 

"  Very  good ;  what  you  do,  I  do." 

The  fallen  tree  was  one  of  a  group  of  huge  hem- 
locks, whose  clustered  foliage  threw  a  deep  gloom  over 
the  earth  beneath  them.  Several  scattered  young 
evergreens  fringed  the  landward  side  of  the  hillock,  so 
that  the  whole  summit  lay  in  almost  impenetrable 
shadow.  The  upturning  of  the  vast  mass  of  roots  had 
raised  with  it  the  surface  of  the  soil,  so  as  to  leave  a 
lai'ge  hollow  which  the  snow  had  not  entirely  filled 
up.  Butler  and  Wishcomet  stretched  themselves  at 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        341 

full  length  in  the  bowl-like  concavity ;  one  of  them 
watching  the  lake,  the  other  looking  up  the  shore. 
Directly  a  rustling  was  heard  among  the  bushes  in  a 
thick  swarnp  just  above  them  ;  and  a  large  bear,  rush- 
ing out  of  the  thicket,  shambled  off  at  a  smart  trot 
across  the  ice. 

"  See,"  whispered  the  chief,  "  there  is  a  party  com- 
ing down  this  shore.  The  bear  tells  us  that  plain 
enough." 

"  Yes,  and  if  they  don't  spy  us  out,  he  will  tell  us 
too  whether  there  is  anything  going  on,  on  t'other 
side.  If  they're  moving  too,  he'll  give  'em  a  wide 
berth,  and  make  down  the  lake,  instead  of  taking  the 
woods  again.  We  must  be  quiet  now  for  our  lives. 
Put  your  foot  against  mine,  that  we  may  be  able  to 
give  each  other  notice  without  speaking." 

A  moment  or  two  now  passed  in  perfect  quiet,  when 
a  slight  push  of  Butler's  foot  apprised  his  companion 
that  he  discovered  fresh  signs  of  interruption.  Six 
Indians  emerged  from  the  swamp,  held  their  way  in 
single  file  past  the  hill,  and  disappeared  in  the  woods 
beyond  them. 

When  they  were  fairly  out  of  sight,  Butler  whis- 
pered his  comrade,  "  Six  of  them,  Wishcomet.  What 
does  the  bear  say  ?  " 

"  He's  afraid  to  land,  and  keeps  down  the  lake." 

"  That  settles  everything  then,  Sachem.  They're 
going  down  the  lake  on  each  side,  in  two  parties. 
Mighty  careful,  an't  they  ?  Our  plan  is  blown  up 
sky-high ;  and  I  hardly  know  what  to  do.  Do  you 
think  the  scamps  on  this  side  will  find  our  trail  and  try 
to  hunt  us  up  ?  Fortunately,  they  passed  higher  up 
the  slope  just  here,  and  did  not  cross  it." 

"  'Twill  not  be  easy  to  see  in  the  woods  at  night, 


342  SAM  SHIRK: 

on  this  hard  crust.  If  they  don't  come  directly  upon 
it,  they  won't  discover  it.  If  they  do,  they'll  turn 
upon  us." 

"  Well,  we  must  take  our  chance  of  that.  Let's 
follow  them  down  now  carefully.  They're  between  us 
and  our  party ;  and  the  nearer  we  get  without  their 
knowing  it,  the  better  for  us.  We  shall  be  ready  to 
fall  on  their  rear  when  Joe  pitches  into  them.  And, 
if  they  turn  upon  us,  the  nearer  we  are  to  our  friends, 
the  sooner  we  shall  have  help.  What  do  you  think, 
Sachem  ?  " 

"  We  can  do  nothing  else  now.  We  must  keep 
as  near  the  bank  as  we  can.  If  they  follow  our  trail 
back,  they  may  pass  us  again,  as  they  did  just  now,  if 
we  are  careful." 

"  True,  let's  start  now.  They're  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  ahead  of  us,  by  this  time.  You  lead,  for  you  can 
see  sharper  than  I ;  and  if  they  should  chance  to  catch 
a  glimpse  of  you,  they  may  take  you  for  one  of  them- 
selves." 

The  young  chief  rose,  and,  followed  by  Butler,  re- 
traced the  course  towards  the  foot  of  the  lake  again. 
Singling  out  in  his  front  some  large  tree  or  thick 

o        o  o 

bush,  from  which  he  could  safely  examine  the  ground 
in  advance,  he  proceeded  rapidly  up  to  the  shelter,  and 
there  halted  till  he  had  satisfied  himself  that  all  was 
clear  for  another  movement.  In  this  way  he  passed 
about  half  the  distance,  Butler  following  his  motions 
about  a  rod  in  the  rear. 

They  now  stood  upon  the  upper  edge  of  a  smooth 
slope,  covered  with  a  glade  of  heavy  timber.  Wish- 
comet  had  halted  to  reconnoitre,  upon  the  line  where 
it  opened  upon  a  little  valley  thick  with  undergrowth, 
beyond  which  rose  a  rounded  ridge.  Here  the  quick 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        343 

eye  of  the  chief  caught  sight  of  a  human  figure,  just  as 
it  vanished  among  the  alders ;  and,  in  a  moment,  an 
Iroquois  came  up  the  slope  directly  upon  him.  He 
had  found  time  to  warn  Butler,  by  a  motion  of  his  arm, 
to  conceal  himself  behind  a  large  pine,  by  the  side  of 
which  he  was  awaiting  the  Sachem's  farther  proceed- 
ings. Concealment  on  his  own  part  was,  however,  im- 
possible ;  for  the  Indian  advanced  precisely  to  the  root 
of  the  tree  beside  which  he  stood.  The  Sachem  im- 
mediately turned,  and,  stepping  boldly  out,  took  the 
same  direction  as  that  of  the  new-comer,  and,  casting 
his  head  downward,  appeared  to  be  carefully  examining 
the  ground  as  he  went  along.  The  stranger  Indian 
started,  as  he  first  discovered  the  chief,  and  instantly 
drew  an  arrow  to  his  ear.  But  without  taking  any 
notice  of  his  hostile  attitude,  Wishcomet  spoke  to  him 
in  his  own  tongue :  "  There's  no  trail  between  here 
and  the  lake.  Go  up  higher  on  the  ridge." 

As  he  uttered  these  words,  he  waved  his  hand 
towards  the  interior  of  the  forest,  pretending  himself  to 
assume  a  course  nearly  parallel.  The  Iroquois  was 
puzzled  and  deceived  for  a  moment  by  the  cool  and 
ready  ruse.  He  lowered  his  bow,  detached  the  arrow 
from  the  string,  and  took  a  few  steps  in  the  direction 
suggested  ;  but,  pausing  once  more,  he  eagerly  exam- 
ined, by  the  dim  light,  the  figure  of  the  chief.  This 
more  careful  scrutiny  failing  to  satisfy  his  doubts,  he 
slackened  his  pace  in  order,  by  bringing  himself  more 
into  the  rear,  to  be  able  to  attack  the  object  of  his  sus- 
picions with  greater  certainty  and  security.  But  Wish- 
comet,  while  seemingly  intent  upon  the  ground,  nar- 
rowly watched  all  his  motions,  and  saw  that  he  was 
suspected,  and  must  be  detected,  sooner  or  later,  in  the 
attempted  imposition.  He  gently  detached  his  blanket 


344  SAM  SHIRK: 

from  his  girdle,  and  gathered  it  upon  his  left  arm  ;  then, 
drawing  his  hunting-knife  and  letting  his  rifle  drop, 
he  turned  and  sprang  like  a  tiger  upon  his  insidious 
companion.  The  leap  of  the  Sachem  was  of  almost 
incredible  extent  and  speed  ;  but  the  necessity  of  turn- 
ing diminished  both  its  celerity  and  force.  He  mas- 
tered the  arms  of  his  antagonist,  but  could  not  succeed 
in  throwing  the  blanket  over  his  head  without  a  short 
but  desperate  struggle,  during  which  an  exclamation  of 
surprise  and  fear  escaped  from  the  Iroquois,  which  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  other  ears.  Butler  was  anx- 
iously watching  these  manoeuvres,  and,  seeing  the 
result,  rushed  to  the  assistance  of  his  friend.  Coming 
up  behind  the  Iroquois,  he  forced  the  blanket  over  his 
head,  and,  tripping  up  his  feet,  laid  him  prostrate  on 
the  ground.  The  Sachem,  now  kneeling  upon  his 
overthrown  foe,  attempted,  with  Butler's  assistance,  to 
fetter  and  gag  him,  so  that  he  might  be  safely  left  for 
the  present,  till  matters  still  more  important  could  be 
decided.  He  was  yet  occupied  in  binding  his  arms, 
which  were  firmly  compressed  in  James's  powerful  grasp, 
with  his  own  bowstring,  when,  suddenly  raising  his 
head,  he  listened  attentively  for  an  instant,  and  then 
buried  his  knife  to  the  very  hilt  in  the  Indian's  bosom 
and  sprang  to  his  feet.  Snatching  up  his  blanket,  he 
gave  a  word  of  warning  to  Butler,  and  both  picked  up 
their  rifles  and  darted  behind  the  nearest  trees.  Sev- 
eral arrows  whistled  over  their  heads,  as  they  glided 
behind  the  sheltering  trunks,  but  neither  of  them  was 
touched. 

By  peering  cautiously  from  behind  their  cover 
through  the  twilight  of  the  forest,  they  soon  ascertained 
that  the  five  remaining  Iroquois,  of  the  band  that  had 
passed  them  on  the  hill,  were  watching  them  from  be- 


A   TALE  OF  THE  WOODS  OF  MAINE.         345 

hind  the  trees  in  their  front.  Two  of  them  were 
armed  with  guns ;  but  neither  side  seemed  to  desire  to 
give  the  alarm  by  a  discharge.  But,  on  the  slightest 
exposure  of  a  face  or  limb  by  Butler  or  his  comrade, 
the  hiss  of  an  arrow  admonished  them  of  the  necessity 
of  the  utmost  caution.  For  some  minutes  the  hostile 
parties  observed  each  other  with  the  utmost  vigilance. 
But  soon  the  outermost  of  the  Iroquois  were  seen  to 
steal  forward  from  tree  to  tree,  with  a  view  to  outflank 
the  weaker  party  and  command  their  rear.  James 
and  Wishcomet  had  agreed  to  avoid  firing,  except  in 
the  last  extremity  ;  as  the  alarm  so  given  would  nec- 
essarily derange  the  plan  according  to  which  their 
friends  below  had  been  stationed.  The  occasional  show 
of  the  muzzles  of  their  rifles,  however,  hinted  broadly 
to  their  enemies  to  be  careful  in  their  motions,  and  had 
the  effect  to  render  the  attempted  manoeuvre  one  of 
slow  and  difficult  execution.  The  instant  a  dusky  form 
on  either  side  was  seen  to  quit  its  cover,  the  menacing 
barrel  was  thrust  forth  as  if  ready  to  pour  out  its  deadly 
fire,  and  generally  awed  back  the  encroaching  assail- 
ants. Little  by  little,  nevertheless,  the  extremes  of 
the  attacking  line  assumed  the  shape  of  a  crescent, 
whose  threatening  horns  would  before  long  be  suffi- 
ciently protruded  to  expose  the  besieged  occupants  of 
the  centre  to  attack  on  both  sides,  without  a  possibility 
of  shelter.  Slowly  and  reluctantly  the  two  companions 
withdrew  from  cover  to  cover,  as  their  active  opponents, 
dodging  from  point  to  point,  made  their  posts  untenable, 
until  they  stood  upon  the  verge  of  the  bank,  and  fur- 
ther retreat  was  out  of  the  question. 

"  Butler,"  whispered  the  chief,  "  we  must  either  fire 
or  make  a  run  upon  the  ice." 

"  That  last  will  never  do,  Wishcomet.     We  should 


346  SAM  SHIRK: 

be  shot  down  like  rats.  When  worst  comes  to  worst, 
we  must  fire.  But  look  out  to  the  left  here,  Sachem, 
on  my  side.  Don't  you  see  another  Indian  stealing  up 
behind  this  devil  that's  working  up  along  side  of  me  ? 
How  queerly  he  manosuvres  !  " 

"  I  see  him,  and  I  see  the  shadow  of  another  on  this 
side,  creeping  up  in  the  same  way." 

Anxiously  the  two  now  watched  the  motions  in  their 
front,  and  with  especial  interest  the  singular  proceed- 
ings of  the  additional  actors  in  the  skirmish.  These 
last  had  flitted  from  trunk  to  trunk,  till  now  they  stood 
respectively  at  the  back  of  the  second  man  from  either 
end  of  the  curved  line  of  the  Iroquois  warriors,  where 
they  carefully  concealed  themselves,  each  behind  his 
tree. 

Butler  and  his  comrade  now  gazed  in  breathless  sus- 
pense, straining  their  vision  to  gather  through  the  dim 
vistas  of  the  forest  some  indication  of  the  intentions 
of  the  mysterious  pair.  They  did  not  appear  to  belong 
to  the  hostile  party,  for  they  seemed  carefully  to  con- 
ceal their  approach  from  them.  But  to  discover  their 
character  or  design,  in  that  dusky  silence,  was  beyond 
the  power  of  human  senses.  Conjectures  of  various 
sorts  passed  rapidly  through  their  excited  minds,  but 
no  probable  solution  yet  appeared.  The  new-comers, 
however,  remained  but  a  few  moments  in  their  cover 
behind  the  Iroquois,  although  it  seemed  a  long  and 
tedious  interval  to  the  eager  and  wrought-up  expec- 
tations of  Butler  and  the  young  chief.  Swiftly  and 
quietly  each  stepped  around  his  tree,  an  arm  of  each 
was  dimly  seen  to  rise  into  the  air,  and  the  two  Indians, 
towards  whom  they  had  stridden,  fell  heavily  to  the 
ground.  Their  three  remaining  companions  turned  at 
the  noise  of  their  fall ;  and  the  besieged  pair  were  soon 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        347 

convinced  that,  whoever  the  strangers  might  be,  they 
were  at  any  rate  no  friends  to  the  besiegers.  All 
doubt  was  soon  removed  ;  for  the  cheery  voice  of  Sibley 
said  aloud,  "  Now,  Butler,  knock  out  the  brains  of  that 
varmint  on  your  left.  Wishcomet,  take  care  of  the 
chap  next  to  you.  We'll  settle  this  'ere  feller  in  the 
middle."  Even  while  he  was  speaking,  Succobash, 
who  was  the  other  new  actor  in  the  scene,  sprung 
upon  the  thunder-struck  Iroquois,  who  was  yet  striv- 
ing to  understand  what  had  so  strangely  altered  the 
face  of  affairs,  and  mastered  him  before  he  could  raise 
an  arm.  A  groan  and  another  fall  upon  the  snow  told 
that  the  keen  knife  had  effectually  done  its  work. 

Butler  and  Wishcomet  had,  at  the  same  instant, 
rushed  upon  the  assailants  of  their  flanks.  The  sud- 
denness of  the  attack  and  the  speedy  and  fearful  fate 
of  their  companions  left  them  but  small  disposition  for 
further  contest ;  and  both  turned  and  fled.  But  their 
opponents  were  young  and  nimble.  Succobash  and 
Sibley,  having  nothing  now  upon  their  hands,  joined 
in  the  chase,  one  to  either  side.  The  fugitives  were 
soon  overtaken,  disarmed,  and  bound  ;  and  the  four 
victors  returned  to  the  bloody  battle-ground,  leading 
their  sullen,  but  unresisting  prisoners  between  them. 


348  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

"WELL,  James,  I'm  mighty  glad  that  Succobash 
and  I  took  it  into  our  heads  to  look  arter  you  a  little, 
as  things  has  turned  out.  I  didn't  dare  say  anything 
when  I  left  you,  for  fear  you'd  be  riled.  I  know'd 
you  and  Wishcomet  are  both  hard  customers ;  but 
'twas  a  pokerish  job.  I  felt  everlastin'  consarned 
about  you,  and  Succobash  here  was  just  as  bad  about 
the  Governor." 

"  I  certainly  shan't  make  any  complaints  about  it 
now,  Joe ;  and  a  better  friend  than  you,  in  a  hard 
pinch,  I  don't  want  to  see.  Those  scamps  had  got  the 
Sachem  and  me  into  a  tight  corner,  as  plain  as  day- 
light. But  we  mustn't  stop  to  talk  now.  The  rest  of 
the  Iroquois  are  moving  down  on  the  other  side,  and 
will  reach  the  cove  before  us,  if  we  don't  look  out 
sharp.  Here's  four  of  the  poor  devils  that'll  do  no 
more  harm.  I  wish  to  heaven  the  rest  of  'em  would 
run  off.  I've  seen  butchery  enough  now." 

"  Faith,  so  have  I ;  but  where's  the  four  ?  " 

"  There's  one  out  yonder.  The  Sachem  and  I 
were  tying  him,  when  the  rest  of  'em  attacked  us,  and 
Wishcomet  was  obliged  to  stab  him.  He  lies  just  be- 
yond that  big  red  pine." 

"  What  shall  we  do  with  these  two  live  beauties 
here  ?  Wishcomet,  I  don't  see  what  you  Indians 
want  to  paint  yourselves  up  like  striped  squirrels  for. 
You're  pretty  good-lookin'  fellers  naterally." 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        349 

"  What  does  Captain  Dee  cover  his  head  all  over 
with  flour  for  ?  "  replied  the  young  chief,  smiling. 

"  Sure  enough.  We've  all  got  our  silly  ways,  that's 
a  fact.  But  we  mustn't  stand  chattering  here.  Succo- 
bash,  pick  up  these  fellers'  guns  ;  I  suppose  you'll 
want  their  scalps  into  the  bargain ;  but  them  articles 
an't  in  my  line.  Break  up  all  the  bows  and  arrows 
you  can  find  too.  On  the  whole,  you  and  the  Gov- 
ernor had  better  keep  a  good  one  and  some  arrows, 
apiece.  We  may  be  glad  to  have  something  to  shoot 
with  that  won't  make  a  noise.  I  don't  know  no  more 
about  bows  and  arrows  myself  than  a  yaller  dog." 

Succobash  performed  the  commission  assigned  him, 
and  came  back  with  the  two  guns  and  his  belt  stuck 
full  of  knives  and  hatchets,  and  with  a  bow  and  ar- 
rows also  for  himself  and  his  chief.  Wishcomet 
placed  the  two  prisoners  between  himself  and  Succo- 
bash, with  an  intimation  that  instant  death  would  be 
the  reward  of  any  attempt  at  escape.  James  and  Sib- 
ley  followed  close  behind,  carrying  their  own  and  the 
captured  fire-arms. 

As  they  went  along,  they  imparted  to  each  other, 
in  a  low  voice,  their  doings  on  both  sides.  We  already 
know  what  had  befallen  Butler  and  his  companion. 
Sibley  gave  an  account  of  his  own  adventures  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  Well,  you  see,  Succobash  and  I  concluded  to  fol- 
ler  out  a  piece,  so  as  to  be  on  hand,  if  things  went  hard 
with  you  ;  and  arter  you'd  been  gone  a  matter  of  half 
an  hour,  we  made  tracks  arter  you.  We  travelled  tip 
to  hereabouts,  and  then  sot  still  in  some  bushes. 
Pretty  soon  we  heard  a  deer  snort  and  break  away  not 
far  off,  and  judged  somebody  was  stirrin'.  So  we 
started,  and  soon  got  sight  of  six  Indians.  Jest  as  we 


350  SAM  SHIRK: 

made  'em  out,  they  was  runnin'  round  a-lookin'  up 
your  tracks ;  and  arter  something  of  a  talk,  they  turned 
about  and  pushed  up  the  shore  agin.  It  didn't  take  us 
long  to  cipher  that  out ;  so  we  pulled  foot  arter  'em. 
The  rest  you  know  all  about." 

"  Yes,  and  I  shan't  forget  it,  Joe.  I'll  do  as  much 
for  you,  if  I  have  the  chance." 

"  I'll  bet  you  will.  But  we're  close  to  the  boys 
now.  You  and  I  had  better  go  first ;  for  they  won't 
know  what  to  make  of  all  these  Indians.  Jest  as  like 
as  not  they'll  fire  into  'em." 

Accordingly  Butler  and  Sibley  went  to  the  front, 
and  shortly  exchanged  greetings  with  the  sentry  at  the 
north  side  of  the  cove.  They  were  here  informed 
that  the  Iroquois  had  come  down  on  the  other  side  of 
the  lake,  and  were  hidden  in  the  woods  on  the  island, 
where  they  had  remained  quiet  for  some  time.  It  was 
evident,  on  comparing  observations,  that  they  were 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  party  that  had  been  sent 
down  the  western  shore  ;  with  a  view  undoubtedly  of 
making  sure  that  no  danger  should  be  threatening 
them  from  behind,  before  they  started  on  their  expe- 
dition. A  hurried  council  was  now  held,  to  decide 
how  best  to  meet  this  new  state  of  things.  Wish- 
comet,  Butler,  and  Sibley  soon  arranged  their  plans  ; 
and  James  gave  directions  accordingly. 

"  Succobash,  bring  the  prisoners  this  way."  The 
two  Iroquois  were  brought  into  the  midst  of  the  assem- 
blage, each  guarded  by  a  man  on  either  side,  with 
drawn  knife  (and  loaded  rifle.  Through  the  medium 
of  Succobasn,  as  interpreter,  James  endeavored  to  ef- 
fect an  understanding  with  them,  by  which  all  further 
difficulty  might  be  avoided. 

"  We  are  a  large  party,"  he  said.     "  You  don't  see 


A   TALE   OF    THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.       351 

here  a  man  for  every  four  of  us.  You  can't  escape, 
nor  can  your  friends  out  yonder.  Now  if  you  will 
speak  to  them  to  come  in  and  give  us  up  their  arms, 
we  will  let  you  all  go  safe  and  unhurt  home.  If  you 
keep  yourselves  in  your  own  country  henceforth,  we 
shall  never  trouble  you ;  but  if  we  catch  you  lurking 
round  here  again,  we  will  shoot  you  like  dogs." 

Succobash  repeated  this  proposition  to  the  captives 
in  their  native  tongue.  But,  whether  from  distrust  of 
Butler's  good  faith  or  from  sullenness,  no  reply  what- 
ever could  be  elicited.  They  stood,  like  dark  statues, 
impassive  and  motionless.  Not  even  a  glance  was 
vouchsafed  to  the  speakers ;  and  their  features  re- 
mained as  vacant  and  listless  as  if  they  neither  saw 
nor  heard  what  passed  around  them. 

"  D n  'em,  Butler,"  said  Sibley.  "  It's  no  use  to 

talk  to  'em.  You  might  as  well  try  to  make  a  bargain 
with  a  wolf;  and  they  feel  jest  about  as  peaceable. 
I'll  try  my  hand  with  'em." 

Sibley  turned  and  spoke  a  few  words  to  two  of  the 
men  behind  him,  who  instantly  drew  their  knives  and 
planted  themselves  each  over  one  of  the  prisoners, 
holding  the  glittering  blades  ready  to  be  buried,  at  a 
word,  in  their  naked  bosoms. 

"  Now  tell  'em,  Succobash,  that  if  they  don't  do  this 
'ere  message  right  off,  in  good  shape  too,  we'll  make 
minced  meat  of  'em." 

The  threatening  announcement  was  faithfully  re- 
peated ;  but  it  failed  as  utterly  as  the  peaceful  tender 
of  Butler.  The  menace  was  met  with  perfect  stoicism. 
Not  a  muscle  quivered,  not  an  eyelash  winked,  not  a 
sound  was  heard.  Wishcomet,  who  was  leaning,  a 
silent  spectator,  against  a  neighboring  pine,  smiled 
with  apparent  satisfaction  at  the  failure  of  Joe's  ex- 
periment. 


352  SAM  SHIRK: 

"  Sibley,"  said  he,  "  you  can't  frighten  any  more 
than  coax  them.  I  and  Succobash  will  manage  all  this. 
Place  your  men  so  as  to  surround  this  cove  as  much 
as  possible.  I  will  undertake  to  brin  those  upon  the 
island  into  the  very  middle  of  the  ice.  Then,  when  I 
give  the  signal,  let  every  man  show  himself,  and  push 
in  as  fast  as  possible ;  and  take  care  to  throw  men 
enough  well  forward  to  close  the  mouth  of  the  cove 
when  the  time  comes." 

"  Why,  Wishcomet,  you'll  get  into  a  worse  scrape 
than  you  did  up  yonder.  I  should  think  you'd  lamed 
a  better  lesson  there.  The  minute  they  see  into  the 
trick,  you'll  have  a  dozen  knives  into  you,  d'ye  see  ?  " 

"  I  shall  do  as  well  as  I  did  then,  if  you  will  do  as 
much  on  your  part.  Just  let  me  arrange  everything, 
and  it  will  all  go  right." 

The  Sachem  now  threw  off  his  own  blanket,  and  put 
over  his  shoulders  one  taken  by  his  follower  from  the 
dead  Indians,  and  also  pulled  the  eagle's  feather  from 
his  cap. 

"  Now,  Sibley,  pick  out  two  men  that  never  miss  a 
shot,  and  put  them  behind  that  bunch  of  bushes  on 
the  shore." 

"  Here,  Tom  Bray  and  Robert  Campbell,  take  up 
your  guns  and  go  with  the  Governor.  If  those  boys 
won't,  either  of  'em,  hit  a  dollar  ten  times  runnin'  as 
far  as  they  can  see  it,  I  hope  they'll  never  see  another 
one.  Tell  what  you  want,  and  they'll  do  it,  if  it's  pos- 
sible with  powder  and  ball." 

The  chief  now  bade  the  marksmen  creep  cautiously 
behind  the  covert,  and  carefully  to  watch  the  course  of 
things.  "  If  you  see  that  Succobash  and  I  can't  clear 
ourselves,  you  must  shoot  down  those  that  press  us 
hardest,  and  don't  make  any  mistakes.  Now,  Sibley, 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        353 

have  these  two  prisoners  fettered  so  that  they  can 
barely  walk.  They  must  help  us,  whether  they  will 
or  no." 

The  legs  of  the  Iroquois  were  now  fettered  with 
gun-slings,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  walking  diffi- 
cult and  any  more  rapid  motion  impossible.  All  being 
now  prepared,  the  Sachem,  explaining  to  Butler  his 
whole  scheme  and  cautioning  him  to  place  his  men  as 
speedily  as  might  be,  moved  off  with  Sibley,  Succo- 
bash,  the  two  Iroquois,  and  four  of  the  other  men.  He 
halted  near  the  head  of  the  cove,  where  a  little  point 
jutted  conspicuously  a  few  feet  out  from  the  shore. 
Succobash  also  brought  up  four  of  the  Passamaquoddies 
that  had  remained  with  the  ambush  on  the  other  side. 
The  plan  was  then  detailed,  and  each  instructed  in  his 
part.  The  two  Iroquois  were  made  to  advance  just 
out  of  the  edge  of  the  wood  on  to  the  shore,  while  two 
riflemen  crouched  beliind  the  little  point  at  their  side, 
and  two  more  stood  behind  the  trees  at  their  back. 
Two  of  Wishcomet's  band  lay  also,  knife  in  hand, 
among  the  bushes  close  to  their  feet.  The  Sachem 
then,  after  addressing  a  few  stern  words  to  the  prison- 
ers, in  the  Iroquois  dialect,  as  he  passed  them,  moved 
boldly  out  into  the  lake,  with  Succobash  at  his  side 
and  his  two  other  comrades  close  in  the  rear.  The 
four  proceeded  steadily  till  they  reached  the  midway 
of  the  length  of  the  cove.  Here  the  chief  signed  to 
his  followers  behind  to  halt ;  while  himself  and  Succo- 
bash continued  on  a  few  rods  farther  toward  the  isl- 
and. An  Indian  was  soon  seen  cautiously  emerging 
from  its  shore,  to  whom  Wishcomet  made  a  gesture 
to  advance,  and  himself  remained  stationary  upon  the 
ice.  Directly  thirteen  Iroquois  appeared,  one  after  the 
other,  upon  the  edge  of  the  island,  and,  not  doubting 
23 


354  SAM  SHIRK: 

that  they  saw  their  six  companions  from  the  western 
side  of  the  lake  scattered  up  and  down  the  cove  before 
them,  immediately  set  out  to  join  them.  The  Sachem 
stopped  for  a  moment  or  two,  till  he  saw  them  safely  on 
the  road,  then,  turning  again,  he  and  Succobash  saun- 
tered slowly  towards  their  friends  at  the  centre  of  the 
cove,  and  halted  a  moment  as  if  awaiting  to  be  over- 
taken by  the  main  band.  When  they  reached  this 
point,  the  Iroquois  were  still  many  rods  off;  and  the 
whole  four  turned  again  to  the  rear,  and  walked  slowly 
towards  the  head  of  the  recess.  The  Iroquois  wrere 
lured  far  up  the  bay  by  this  skillful  manoeuvre ';  and 
the  Passamaquoddies  had  approached  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  spot  where  the  captives  stood,  watched 
by  their  invisible  jailers. 

The  Sachem,  aware  that  the  deception  could  not  be 
sustained  much  longer,  now  faced  about  once  more, 
and  stepped  forward  till  he  met,  face  to  face,  the  leader 
of  the  Indian  files.  So  completely  had  these  plausi- 
ble movements  imposed  upon  their  distrustful  sa- 
gacity, that  the  Iroquois  chief  started  to  find  that  a 
stranger  stood  before  him.  Instinctively  he  advanced 
his  rifle,  and  drew  a  hatchet  from  his  belt.  But  Wish- 
comet,  making  a  calm  gesture  to  refrain,  dropped  the 
butt  of  his  own  rifle  to  the  ice  at  his  feet,  and  spoke  in 
the  Iroquois  tongue  :  — 

"  Why  do  you  come  from  the  waters  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  prowl  on  the  shores  of  the  ocean  ? 
These  are  not  the  Iroquois  hunting-grounds." 

"  Cannot  my  brother  spare  us  a  little  venison  ? " 
returned  the  Iroquois,  in  the  true  spirit  of  Indian  eva- 
sion and  caution. 

"  Yes,  but  we  don't  like  to  feed  wolves  that  steal 
sheep  and  bite.  My  brother  has  come  for  bad  pur- 


A   TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         355 

poses,  but  he  is  caught  in  his  own  trap.  It  will  be 
better  for  him  to  give  us  up  his  guns,  and  he  shall  go 
home  this  time  unhurt ;  but  he  must  not  come  so  far 
from  home  again." 

O 

The  hostile  leader  now  began  to  distrust  his  posi- 
tion. His  eager  glances  wandered  stealthily  from 
shore  to  shore,  but  he  gathered  no  information  from 
the  survey.  His  eye  flashed  with  ill-suppressed  en- 
mity, and  every  gesture  showed  that  he  burned  to  at- 
tack the  Sachem  and  his  little  party  ;  but  the  dignity 
and  quiet  fearlessness  of  the  young  chief  daunted  him. 
He  therefore  sought,  before  coming  to  extremities,  to 
ascertain  a  little  better  the  circumstances  by  which  he 
was  surrounded,  and  which  were,  thus  far,  apparently 
so  different  from  his  expectations. 

"  Why  should  my  men  give  up  their  arms  ?  "  he 
rejoined. 

"  Because,  if  they  do  not,  they  will  be  taken  from 
them,  dead  or  alive"  was  the  quiet  reply. 

"  Can  you  four  take  them  from  us  ?  " 

"  Forty  good  rifles  are  leveled  at  you  from  the 
woods,  Chief,"  said  Wishcomet.  "  At  a  wave  of  my 
hand,  the  men  that  carry  them  will  be  around  you. 
Take  my  counsel,  while  you  have  time." 

"  Who  is  it  tells  Poconet  to  be  afraid  ?  " 

"  I  am  Wishcomet,  Sachem  of  the  Passamaquod- 
dies." 

"  I,  too,  have  men  in  the  forest,"  pertinaciously  an- 
swered the  Iroquois  leader. 

"  The  six  men  who  came  down  on  this  side  cannot 
help  their  chief  now." 

"  Why  not  ?     They  are  faithful  and  strong." 

"  They  cannot  break  the  bands  that  hold  them." 

"  Does  not  Wishcomet  dare  tell  me  where  my  young 
men  are,  or  doesn't  he  know  ?  " 


356  SAM  SHIRK; 

"  Wishcomet  knows  what  he  says  ;  and  what  he 
says  is  true.  Yonder  are  two  of  them :  call  them,  and 
see  if  they  can  come  to  you." 

The  Iroquois  warriors  had  now  clustered  in  a  semi- 
circle about  their  leader,  in  their  anxiety  to  see  and 
hear  what  was  passing.  Impatience  and  ill  blood  be- 
gan to  get  the  better  of  discretion.  Moody  brows  and 
angry  eyes  were  bent  from  all  quarters  upon  the  Sa- 
chem and  his  three  followers.  At  length  the  foremost 
clutched  their  knives,  and  raised  their  guns  and  bows 
to  a  position  for  ready  use.  Poconet  himself  stood, 
dark  and  sullen,  like  a  wolf  at  bay,  longing  to  spring, 
yet  hardly  daring  the  venture. 

Wishcomet  observed  the  growing  commotion,  and, 
stepping  back  a  pace,  he  trailed  the  butt  of  his  rifle 
across  the  ice,  and  coolly  said,  "  Let  nobody  cross 
that  line  ;  we  can  hear  each  other  very  well."  Hardly 
had  he  spoken,  when,  either  from  chance  or  with  the  de- 
sign of  bringing  on  the  fray,  a  stout  and  savage-looking 
Iroquois  stepped  forward  close  to  the  side  of  the  Sa- 
chem, with  a  hatchet  in  his  hand.  The  young  chief 
seized  him  by  the  shoulder,  and  pushed  him  roughly 
again  beyond  the  limit.  The  aggression  and  its  re- 
pulse both  served  but  to  add  fuel  to  the  rising  flame  ; 
and  every  hostile  savage  made  ready  for  an  onset. 
Their  chief  again  brandished  his  hatchet,  and  growled 
out  in  scornful  wrath,  — 

"  An  Iroquois  has  crossed  the  line,  and  he  is  not 
dead,  we  will  all  try." 

"  Stop  but  one  moment,"  replied  the  young  Passa- 
maquoddy  ;  and  again  his  firm  and  commanding  tone 
awed  into  momentary  quiet  the  boiling  passions  and 
brandished  weapons  around  him.  "  If  you  will  not 
believe  me,  see  for  yourselves." 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS    OF  MAINE.       357 

As  he  spoke,  he  raised  his  right  arm  into  the  air, 
and  then  pointed  his  finger  at  the  intruder,  who  still 
stood  a  few  feet  in  advance  of  his  fellows.  Instantly 
a  ball  hissed  over  the  ice,  the  crack  of  a  rifle  rang 
upon  the  air ;  and  the  offending  Iroquois  sprang  up- 
wards with  a  howl,  and  dropped  lifeless  at  their  feet. 

A  jell  of  dismay  and  vengeance  at  once  burst  forth 
from  the  whole  band  ;  and  their  chief  sprang  furiously 
at  Wishcomet,  while  the  rest  poured  tumultuously 
after  him.  But  again  a  rifle-shot  flashed  along  the 
mark  upon  the  ice,  and  one  of  the  foremost  assailants 
fell  dead.  Poconet  had,  however,  leaped  beyond  the 
rest,  and  attacked  the  Sachem  witli  deadly  animosity. 
But  this  second  retribution  for  their  presumption 
abashed  his  followers ;  and  they  hung  back  instinct- 
ively from  the  fatal  boundary ;  while  Succobash  and  his 
comrades  pressed  to  the  side  of  their  young  chief  and 
leveled  their  guns  full  in  the  eyes  of  the  assailants. 
Wishcomet  was  ready  to  meet  his  antagonist;  and, 
seizing  his  uplifted  arm  firmly  in  his  own  right  hand, 
he  checked  his  career  ;  and  the  two  stood  motionless, 
face  to  face. 

"  No  firing,  Succobash,  till  I  order."  Then,  look 
ing  his  infuriated  enemy  coolly  in  the  eye,  he  said  to 
him  :  — 

"  Does  Poconet  think  his  warriors  are  not  worth 
saving  ?  How  can  they  run  away  from  these  rifle- 
balls  ?  Tell  your  men  to  lay  down  their  arms." 

"  Never !  "  shouted  the  maddened  savage,  making 
once  more  a  desperate  attempt  to  liberate  his  arm  and 
complete  his  blow.  His  adversary  was,  however,  both 
sinewy  and  active ;  and  still  retaining  his  hold  upon 
the  uplifted  limb  of  the  Iroquois  with  one  arm,  he 
dexterously  twirled  him  round  with  the  other,  so  as  to 


358  SAM  SHIRK: 

throw  him  between  himself  and  the  faithful  Succobash, 
by  whose  aid  he  was  quickly  stripped  of  hatchet  and 
gun,  and  put  entirely  in  the  power  of  his  opponents. 
This  disaster  of  their  chieftain  and  the  address, 
strength,  and  daring  of  the  Sachem,  with  the  ready 
rifles  of  his  men,  kept  the  mass  of  the  Iroquois  still  in 
check.  Wishcomet  profited  by  the  temporary  lull  to 
make  one  more  appeal  to  considerations  of  prudence. 

"Look,  Chief! "  said  he  ;  and  once  more  he  raised 
his  left  arm  above  his  head,  and  swung  his  cap  in  the 
air.  Before  it  fell  to  his  side  again,  from  behind  rock, 
tree,  and  bush  sprang  out  armed  men,  on  right  and 
left,  in  front  and  rear. 

"Listen,  Chief!"  he  added,  as  the  loud  hurra  rang 
round  the  cove,  as,  man  after  man,  they  stepped  out 
from  their  covers.  Butler's  commanding  voice,  Sib- 
ley's  deep  shout,  and  the  answering  responses  of  the 
Dees  and  other  leaders  filled  every  corner  of  the  shores 
with  rapidly  uttered  orders.  With  trailed  rifles,  all 
rushed  at  full  speed,  in  rapidly  converging  lines,  upon 
the  central  groups.  Before  subsiding  astonishment 
gave  room  for  resistance,  a  circle  of  deadly  barrels 
hedged  round  the  devoted  band  of  Iroquois  ;  and  every 
instant  it  narrowed  its  intervals,  as  fresh  men  came  up, 
and  the  whole  ring  contracted,  as  it  closed  upon  the 
central  point. 

"  Now,  Chief,  are  you  satisfied  ?  "  said  Wishcomet. 
But  Poconet  neither  answered  nor  stirred.  Livid 
with  rage  and  mortification,  he  stood  like  a  human 
effigy  of  Satan,  sulky,  obdurate,  and  malignant.  But- 
ler, Sibley,  the  Dees,  and  others  instantly  pushed  to 
the  Sachem's  side,  as  they  came  up  ;  and  resistance, 
either  within  or  without,  was  now  utterly  hopeless. 
Quitting  his  disarmed  and  sullen  rival,  the  young  chief 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.         359 

• 
called  Succobash,  Sibley,  and  two  or  three  more  to  his 

aid  ;  and  the  weapons  were  taken  from  the  hands  and 
belts  of  the  Iroquois  without  opposition,  and  piled  up 
under  the  guard  of  their  own  men. 

*'  Now,  boys,  our  work  is  done,"  cried  Butler. 
We've  pulled  their  teeth ;  now  let  nobody  disgrace 
himself  by  harming  defenceless  men.  Sachem,  tell 
Succobash  to  let  them  know  that  their  lives  are  safe, 
if  they  take  themselves  right  off  home.  If  we  catch 
them  this  way  again,  we'll  hunt  them  down  like 
wolves." 

"  Succobash,  put  that  last  matter  to  'em  strong," 
added  Sibley,  "  or  they'll  be  for  opening  another  score. 
They  don't  look  particularly  grateful." 

Succobash  now  explained  the  conditions  of  their 
release  to  the  captives  ;  and  the  ring  was  opened  for 
their  departure.  Sam  Shirk,  who  stood  at  the  gap, 
begged  hard  for  the  privilege  of  a  kick  at  each  one  as 
he  passed  out ;  but  his  request  was  imperatively  nega- 
tived, even  when  reduced  to  the  moderate  demand  of 
a  kick  "  at  that  'tarnal  old  sinner  of  a  chief."  He 
was  obliged,  therefore,  to  content  himself  with  mak- 
ing up  a  face  at  him,  expressive  of  his  unutterable  con- 
tempt. But  the  impassive  savage  deigned  him  not 
even  a  look,  as  he  moodily  stalked  after  his  dejected 
band. 

"  You  might  as  well  try  to  grin  the  weather-cock  off 
of  the  meeting-house,  Sam,"  said  Tom  Bray ;  "  that 
feller's  worse  than  a  bear  with  a  sore  head." 

A  small  patrol  followed  after  the  retiring  enemy, 
and  watched  them  across  the  lake,  till  they  were  hid- 
den in  the  woods  on  its  northern  border.  The  victors 
then  took  up  their  march  for  Sibley's  house,  to  recruit 
their  wearied  frames  with  food  and  sleep  after  their 


360  SAM  SHIRK: 

severe  exertions,  which  had  now  been  prolonged  nearly 
twenty-four  hours. 

It  was  daybreak  when  they  reached  again  the 
friendly  roof,  bringing  with  them  the  trophies  of  their 
victory.  After  a  hasty  refreshment  and  a  few  hours' 
sleep,  all  were  aroused  to  a  plentiful  late  breakfast,  or 
more  properly  perhaps  an  early  dinner,  according  to 
the  social  ideas  of  the  time  and  place,  preparatory  to 
taking  up  their  homeward  march ;  for  it  was  not  till 
nearly  noon  that  hunger  and  fatigue  were  so  far  abated 
as  to  make  fresh  exertion  comfortable.  After  making 
the  most  of  the  rations  brought  with  them,  and  such 
hospitable  accompaniments  as  Mrs.  Sibley's  resources 
could  supply,  the  party  started  to  return  to  Merrifield. 
The  day  was  in  unison  with  their  own  exultant  feelings, 
one  of  those  bright,  clear  days  of  March,  that  come  to 
bring  grateful  evidence  of  the  termination  of  the  stern 
reign  of  the  northern  winter.  The  rays  of  the  sun 
diffused,  through  the  pure  atmosphere,  a  warmth  which 
the  contrast  with  recent  cold  rendered  almost  oppress- 
ive. A  slight  snowfall  in  the  early  morning  had  cov- 
ered the  landscape  about  an  inch  in  depth  with  its 
feathery  deposit,  the  unsullied  crystals  of  which  flashed 
back  the  radiance  of  the  brilliant  sky,  as  from  a  bed  of 
diamonds.  A  soft  and  glittering  cushion  rested  upon 
every  surface,  diversifying  the  bare  and  brown  limbs 
of  the  hard-wood  trees  and  the  deep  masses  of  the 
evergreen  foliage  with  a  fairy  mantle  of  the  purest 
white ;  upon  which  the  beams  of  the  unclouded  sun 
were  reflected  with  a  dazzling  light,  till  the  whole  air 
shimmered  with  its  sparkling  lustre. 

Lightly  and  joyfully  the  little  band  proceeded  on 
their  homeward  route,  their  success  marred  by  no 
painful  reflections.  Jokes  and  laughter,  song  and  noisy 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        361 

frolic  beguiled  the  road;  and  at  dusk  they  were  dis- 
missed by  Butler,  at  the  entrance  of  the  village,  to 
their  several  homes. 

Great  was  the  rejoicing  in  Merrifield  that  evening. 
Fathers,  brothers,  and  sons  had  returned  in  safety,  dan- 
ger and  anxiety  were  dispelled,  and  all  minds  were 
disposed  to  enjoy  the  welcome  news.  Around  many  a 
blazing  fire,  the  history  of  the  expedition  was  recounted 
to  an  earnest  group  of  listeners.  But  at  last,  when 
curiosity  and  excitement  had  subsided,  light  after  light 
disappeared  ;  till  the  quiet  hamlet  was  left  to  the  guar- 
dianship of  the  bright  moon  and  the  vigilance  of  the 
watch-dogs. 

Morning  brought  with  it,  nevertheless,  a  still  in- 
creasing stir  and  bustle.  Immediately  after  breakfast, 
the  corners  and  sunny  sides  of  adjacent  buildings  were 
occupied  by  the  chief  part  of  the  population,  engaged 
in  relating,  listening,  conjecturing,  commenting,  criti- 
cising, and  all  other  possible  modes  of  speculation,  —  if 
other  there  be,  —  upon  matters  such  as  then  occupied 
all  minds. 

Sibley  had  accompanied  the  expedition  down  to 
Merrifield  to  enjoy  his  share  of  the  glory  and  gossip. 
He  was  to  be  seen  enthroned  upon  the  top  of  an 
empty  molasses  hogshead,  flanked  by  Shirk,  who  sat 
whittling  the  edge  of  the  sugar-box  which  served  him 
and  two  others  for  a  seat.  Around  them  was  gathered 
the  largest  knot  of  loiterers  ;  and  even  the  grave  Dea- 
con Hardy  stopped  among  them,  for  the  better  part  of 
an  hour,  with  pleased  face,  to  gather  up  the  often  re- 
counted details. 


862  SAM  SHIRK: 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Bur  good  Dame  Butler's  mind  dwelt  little  upon  the 
military  achievements  that  had  just  graced  the  annals 
of  Merrifield.  She  had  other  cares,  to  which  she  gladly 
fled  for  refuge  from  the  story  of  bloodshed  and  human 
perversity,  which  was  to  her  peaceful  soul  as  a  thorn 
in  the  flesh,  an  irritating,  painful,  and  altogether  un- 
welcome intrusion.  Turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the  glorifi- 
cations of  the  community,  and  barring  out,  as  far  as  she 
possibly  could,  all  thought  of  transactions  so  utterly 
abominable  and  monstrous  to  her,  she  merged  herself 
body  and  soul  in  the  preparations  for  James's  wedding. 
Lucky  it  was  for  her  that  she  had  a  retreat,  so  entire 
and  absorbing,  from  all  external  perplexities.  Even 
without  this  fortuitous  recommendation,  the  occasion 
would  have  concentrated  and  tasked  to  the  uttermost 
all  her  energies.  For  not  even  when,  in  her  youthful 
and  undisturbed  placidity,  she  had  given  herself  into 
the  arms  of  her  own  earthly  destiny,  long  years  ago, 
had  she  probably  felt  the  intense  interest  that  she  did 
for  the  wedding  of  her  only  child.  Then  it  was  only 
her  own  quiet  self  that  was  concerned  ;  now  it  was  no 
less  herself,  but  a  reduplicated  self.  What  was  there, 
either  of  extant  or  possible,  that  could  lure  a  thought 
of  hers  from  an  event  so  important,  so  dear  to  her 
heart,  so  deep  in  its  significance  to  her  self-secluded 
sphere  !  The  fall  of  empires,  floods,  earthquakes,  Vev- 


A  TALE  OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        363 

olutions  would  have  fallen  on  her  ears  unheeded.  Had 
the  moon  tumbled  in  upon  the  earth,  it  would  hardly 
have  disturbed  her  proceedings,  provided  it  kept  itself 
out  of  her  own  premises.  Soon  a  stir  was  gotten  up 
in  the  household  that  was  wonderful  to  behold.  The 
event  produced  in  the  family  an  effect  like  that  of  a 
revolution  in  the  city  of  Paris.  Even  the  shootings 
and  bayonetings,  the  hangings  up  to  lamp-posts,  and 
such  other  little  episodes,  by  which  Frenchmen  give 
zest  and  piquancy  to  their  periodical  amusements  of 
this  description,  found  a  parallel  in  the  wholesale  mur- 
ders committed  on  the  occasion.  The  widow's  atroci- 
ties, indeed,  were  confined  to  the  brute  creation  ;  but 
the  chickens  that  were  guillotined,  the  pigs  that  were 
stabbed,  the  partridges  that  were  shot,  and  the  trout 
that  were  hung  up  by  the  gills  might  have  satisfied  the 
heart  of  a  regular  gang-cidotte,  unless  his  content  were 
marred  by  the  insignificance  of  the  game. 

The  inroads  upon  flour-barrels,  sugar-boxes,  and 
butter-firkins  were  enormous ;  for  no  coronation  or 
lord  mayor's  feast  ever  awakened  such  an  interest  as 
did  tliis  occurrence,  in  the  old  lady's  heart.  James 
was  her  pride  and  glory ;  and  if,  in  anything  she  fell 
short  in  the  virtues  of  humility  and  abstraction  from 
this  world's  objects,  it  was  in  his  behalf.  Mary's  at- 
tractions and  sweet  womanly  spirit,  too,  had  made  her 
only  less  dear  than  James  to  her  genial  affections. 

The  energies  of  the  household  itself,  thus  galvanized 
into  excited  activity,  were  fully  competent  to  raise  a 
very  respectable  hubbub.  But  the  parties  concerned 
were  too  well  known  and  too  generally  esteemed  not 
to  call  forth  all  the  sympathies,  and  enlist  in  the  service 
all  the  disposable  force  of  the  village.  Every  old  maid 
and  gossiping  young  damsel  in  Merrifield  stood  ready 


864  SAM  SHIRK: 

to  lend  their  aid  :  while  the  matrons,  whose  own  cares 
limited  the  display  of  their  good-will,  were  constantly 
popping  in  and  out  to  taste,  advise,  suggest,  or  decide 
mooted  points,  like  skirmishers  about  the  line  of  the 
main  battle. 

An  immense  amount  of  cutting  and  clipping,  sewing 
and  stitching,  finally  exhausted  the  bales  and  packages 
that  had  been  forwarded  from  Boston  to  James's  order, 
in  the  unceasing  manufacture  of  garments  and  house- 
keeping appliances.  The  day  of  sewing  circles,  for  the 
supply  of  the  babies  in  Africa  with  flannel  waistcoats 
and  like  praiseworthy  charities,  had  not  yet  dawned ; 
and  old  and  young  were  glad  to  amuse  themselves  by 
assisting  Mary  and  the  dame,  stimulated  partly  by  cu- 
riosity and  by  better  motives  as  well. 

Great  was  the  confusion  and  din,  the  consultation, 
examination,  criticism,  and  admiration  ;  and  the  con- 
sumption of  tea  and  doughnuts  was  prodigious.  The 
tongues  were  as  nimble  as  the  needles,  and  some  of 
them  quite  as  sharp.  Everything  that  had  happened 
in  the  village  from  its  settlement,  everything  that  pos- 
sibly could  happen,  and  many  things  that  never  did  and 
never  would  happen,  were  related,  surmised,  and  dis- 
cussed ;  and  many  an  offender  was  tried  and  adjudged, 
with  equal  zeal  as  questions  upon  flounces  and  ribbons. 

"  For  heaven's  sake,  Mary,"  said  James,  as  he  took 
up  his  cap  one  morning  to  escape  from  the  turmoil, 
"  when  will  you  ever  be  done  with  this  fuss  ?  You 
have  cooked  enough  to  feed  all  Maine  and  old  Massa- 
chusetts to  boot,  and  sewed  enough  to  clothe  them  ; 
and  yet  I  don't  see  that  you  are  not  as  busy  as  ever." 

"  Why,  James,"  said  the  widow,  "  you'd  like  to 
have  things  handsome  at  your  wedding,  wouldn't 
you?" 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        365 

"  Not  a  bit  would  I  care,  mother,  if  I  have  but  you 
and  Mary  about  me,  and  enough  for  our  friends'  comfort 
and  our  own.  We've  all  our  lives  to  eat  and  drink  in  ; 
and  I  should  think  you  meant  that  we  should  do  it  all 
up  at  once." 

"  Why,  I'm  sure,  James,  I  don't  see  any  harm  done  ; 
and  we  don't  have  a  wedding  every  day." 

"No,  mother,  we  don't.  And  I  vow,"  replied 
James,  laughing  slyly  at  the  blushing  Mary,  "  I'll 
never  be  married  again,  if  I  live  a  thousand  years." 

"  Well,  my  son,  you  shall  do  as  you  please  about 
that,"  answered  his  mother,  with  grave  simplicity ; 
"  but  now  I  want  you  to  let  me  have  my  way.  As  to 
being  married  a  second  time,  some  think  it's  a  good 
plan,  and  some  don't.  For  my  part,  I  never  wanted  to 
be,"  added  she,  wiping  her  eyes. 

Butler  affectionately  kissed  away  the  tear  that  was 
stealing  down  her  cheek,  as  he  replied,  "  You  shall  al- 
ways have  your  way  in  my  house,  mother,  saving 
Mary's  rights ;  and  you  and  she  will  have  no  difficulty 
in  settling  all  that,  I  am  sure.  So,  if  you  will  promise 
to  leave  enough  in  the  house  to  last  us  a  week,  I  will 
take  to  the  woods  for  further  supplies  ;  if  we  can  do  no 
better  than  live  on  venison  and  partridges." 

Then  kissing  Mary  too,  who  thereupon  blushed  more 
than  ever,  "  in  order,"  as  he  said,  "  to  prove  his  per- 
fect impartiality,'5  he  left  the  house  clear  for  operations 
alike  distasteful  and  incomprehensible  to  masculine 
minds. 

The  great  wave  of  preparation  at  last  passed  its  cul- 
mination ;  and  its  multitudinous  waters  subsided,  as  it 
were,  into  nooks  and  crannies  and  standing  pools  all 
about  the  premises.  Nothing  was  left  of  them  but,  if 
we  may  use  the  figure  to  its  end,  the  broken  surf,  — 


3GG  SAM  SHIRK: 

that  is  to  say,  such  matters  as  either  from  their  nature 
could  not  be  disposed  of  beforehand,  or  were  too  insig- 
nificant to  cause  especial  care.  Quantities  of  clothing 
and  household  chattels  of  every  sort,  with  eatables 
almost  enough  to  feed  the  army  of  Xerxes,  had  been 
prepared  and  carefully  deposited  in  their  various  re- 
ceptacles ;  and  comparative  quiet  was  restored. 

But  one  source  of  uneasiness  still  remained.  But- 
ler had  steadfastly  refused  to  allow  the  carpet  to  be 
spread  upon  the  floor  of  the  large  parlor  in  the  new 
house,  which,  in  a  more  aristocratic  circle,  would  be 
called  the  drawing-room. 

This  strange  and  pertinacious  whim  had  long  fur- 
nished an  eye-sore  to  the  industrial  zeal  of  the  fe- 
males, as  well  as  a  perplexing  riddle  to  their  curiosity. 
But  James  was  neither  to  be  moved  by  remonstrance 
from  his  determination,  nor  induced  to  give  his  rea- 
sons for  it. 

Mary  had  quietly  given  up  the  point,  satisfied  that, 
whatever  those  reasons  might  be,  they  were  good  and 
sufficient  in  his  mind.  But  his  mother  had  neither 
the  acuteness  to  perceive  the  hopelessness  of  debating 
the  question,  nor  the  energy  to  put  it  aside  from  her 
thoughts ;  she  could  only  fidget  along  in  a  despairing 
worry  over  this  unseemly  blank  in  the  otherwise  satis- 
factory prospect. 

There  were  now  but  two  days  left  before  the  wed- 
ding, and  James  had  given  no  indication  of  yielding. 
The  carpet  still  remained,  in  a  roll  wrapped  in  its  tow- 
cloth  cover,  out  in  the  shed  where  it  had  been  placed 
on  its  first  arrival.  As  the  proceedings  of  the  break- 
fast table,  on  that  morning,  drew  towards  conclusion, 
the  careful  old  lady  recommenced  for  the  twentieth 
time  an  internal  review  of  the  field  of  operations,  to 


A    TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        367 

make  sure  that  nothing  had  been  overlooked  in  the 
hubbub  of  preparation.  Everything  seemed  right  but 
the  standing  grievance  of  the  carpet ;  which  weighed 
upon  her  mind  with  such  annoying  prominence  that, 
after  revolving  the  vexation  silently  for  some  time,  she 
could  not  resist  the  inclination  to  renew  the  attack  on 
James's  unaccountable  perversity. 

"  Now,  James,  do  you  really  mean  to  say  that  you 
won't  have  the  carpet  put  down  on  the  large  room  ?  " 

"  Why,  dear  mother,  I  have  surely  said  so  often 
enough  to  be  understood,"  replied  her  son,  with  a 
laugh  and  a  sly  look  at  Mary. 

"  Well,  you're  just  like  your  father.  When  he  once 
said  a  thing,  you  might  as  well  talk  to  the  wind  as  try 
to  alter  him." 

James  looked  amusedly  at  Mary  again,  and  said,  in 
a  voice  too  low  to  reach  his  mother's  ear,  "  That's  the 
reason  mother  still  keeps  talking.  I  hope  you  will  be 
wiser,  Mary."  The  young  lady  returned  the  pressure 
of  his  hand  which  had  gone  in  search  of  hers  beneath 
the  table,  and  rejoined  with  an  answering  smile, 
"  Don't  you  see  that  I  am  so  already  ?  " 

Not.  noticing  this  little  episode,  the  good  woman 
shambled  along  the  path  of  her  disturbed  thoughts. 

"  Well,  but  how  it  will  look !  and  then  all  the  com- 
pany will  get  their  deaths  with  cold  feet  upon  the  bare 
floor." 

"  O  no,  mother,  I  have  provided  for  all  that.  I'll 
warrant  nobody's  feet  will  be  cold  in  that  room." 

Mary  looked  suddenly  up  with  a  prompt  glance  of 
unwelcome  understanding,  and  exclaimed  somewhat 
reproachfully,  "  O  James  !  "  But  she  said  nothing 
more,  and  the  old  lady  was  altogether  impervious  to 
the  intimation.  Mary  followed  James,  as  he  rose  to 


368  SAM   SHIRK: 

^ 

take  his  hat,  and,  closing  the  parlor  door  carefully  be- 
hind her,  placed  her  arm  on  his  shoulder,  and  plead- 
ingly repeated,  "  O  James  !  please  don't." 

The  young  man  looked  fondly,  and  a  little  roguish- 
ly withal,  at  the  handsome  face  that  looked  up  so  ear- 
nestly into  his  own ;  and  first  of  all  tried  a  prescrip- 
tion upon  the  rosy  lips,  that  relieved  the  face  very 
considerably  of  its  air  of  chagrin. 

"Don't  what,  Mary?  Have  you  lost  your  confi- 
dence in  my  discretion  already  ?  " 

"  But  your  mother,  James,  will  be  troubled  if  you 
have  dancing.  You  know  what  she  thinks  about  it." 

"  Yes,  I  know  very  well  what  she  and  most  of  our 
older  neighbors  think  of  it ;  and  that  is  just  the  chief 
reason  for  my  determination.  Our  young  friends,  you 
know,  Mary,  would  enjoy  a  dance  infinitely,  for  oppor- 
tunities for  a  frolic  are  somewhat  rare  here ;  and  I 
should  be  glad,  if  I  could,  to  render  everybody  as 
happy  as  I  am  myself.  But  my  special  wish  is  to  ex- 
press emphatically  my  dissent  from  that  morose  relic  of 
puritanical  bigotry,  which  makes  fools  of  the  old  peo- 
ple and  hypocrites  of  the  young  ones.  The  boys  and 
girls  will  dance  and  ought  to  dance  together.  You 
have  brought  upon  yourself  a  long  sermon,  and  I  must 
make  sure  of  my  audience,"  added  he,  as  he  wound 
his  arm  round  her  waist  and  drew  her  closer  to  his 
side. 

"  Now,  what  is  the  result  of  all  this  ?  Simply  that 
an  innocent  and  proper  pleasure  is  converted  almost 
into  the  sinful  indulgence  that  some  foolishly  think  it, 
by  investing  it  with  a  half-admitted  sense  of  shame. 
The  young  folks  are  driven  into  corners  and  to  the 
degradation  of  concealment,  while  the  old  are  com- 
pelled to  wink  at  what  they  can't  help ;  and  so  the 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        309 

self-respect  of  both  parties  is  insulted,  as  well  as  their 
mutual  respect  for  each  other. 

"  You  remember,  Mary,  the  spruce  beer  we  used  to 
make  together,  when  we  were  children  :  it  was  a  pleas- 
ant and  healthful  drink,  wasn't  it  ?  " 

"  I  used  to  think  so  certainly,"  replied  Mary  ;  "  but 
what  has  the  spruce  beer  to  do  with  it  ?" 

"  Just  this :  You  agree  that  the  beer,  with  a  due 
degree  of  fermentation,  was  both  wholesome  and  agree- 
able. Now,  you  know  that  we  used  sometimes  to  un 
dertake  to  put  it  up  in  bottles  and  cork  it  tight.  The 
consequence  often  was  that  the  corks  were  blown  out, 
the  bottles  burst,  and  in  the  end  it  turned  sour  on  our 
hands.  Now,  if  you  cork  up  the  legitimate  love  of 
pleasure  and  the  high  spirits  of  the  young,  either  the 
pressure  will  be  thrown  off  or  the  bottles  will  be 
spoiled,  and  the  natural  and  innocent  feelings  be 
turned  sour.  Now,  a  dance  at  our  wedding  will  settle 
the  question  in  Merrifield ;  and  if  we  can  put  a  little 
of  the  milk  of  human  kindness  into  Deacon  Hardy, 
instead  of  the  vinegar,  it  will  improve  the  old  gentle- 
man decidedly." 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  James,  about  the  beer  and 
the  dancing  too  ;  but  still  your  mother,  she  will  sink 
through  the  floor,  when  she  hears  a  fiddle." 

"  I  will  prepare  her  for  it  in  time,  Mary.  But  it 
was  not  worth  while  to  have  her  frizzling  over  such 
nonsense  for  a  week.  She  will  now  see,  for  her- 
self, that  there's  no  immorality  in  an  orderly  dance, 
and  that  the  devil  don't  creep  into  a  fiddle-case  half 
as  often  as  into  —  well,  I  won't  say  what.  Another  rea- 
son for  my  silence  is  that  I  don't  want  the  deacons 
holding  a  sanhedrim  over  the  matter,  to  get  up  a  fuss 
and  a  dispute.  I  want  to  settle  the  question  before 
24 


370  SAM  SHIRK: 

they  know  it.  Common  sense  and  human  nature  will 
keep  it  settled  safe  enough.  Don't  you  think  that  I 
am  a  good  general  ?  " 

"  I  will  wait  till  you've  won  the  victory,"  replied 
Mary,  laughing,  "  before  I  make  up  my  mind." 

"  You  little  faithless  one  !  Perhaps  you'll  desert  to 
Deacon  Hardy,  in  the  heat  of  the  battle.  But  I  shall 
win  the  victory  ;  and  nobody  will  be  hurt  either.  It's 
just  as  sure  as  that  I  love  you  dearly,"  he  whispered  ; 
applying  also  at  the  same  time,  in  support  of  his  con- 
clusion, another  of  those  arguments  so  powerful  with 
young  lovers.  Mary  retreated,  a  trifle  flurried,  to  her 
own  occupations  ;  and  Butler  went  out  with  a  smile 
of  quiet  satisfaction  in  his  eye. 

The  important  morning  at  length  arrived  ;  and,  if 
there  be  truth  in  the  old  adage,  "  Happy  the  bride 
whom  the  sun  shines  upon,"  it  was  specially  adapted 
for  a  wedding.  It  was  one  of  those  magnificently 
bright  days  of  early  spring  when  the  warmth  of  the 
returning  sun  gives  brilliant  and  genial  assurance  that 
summer  is  on  its  way  ;  while  a  lingering  breath  of 
wintry  frost  clarifies  and  invigorates  the  pure  atmos- 
phere. Not  a  cloud  was  to  be  seen,  but  here  and 
there  a  little  patch  of  white  vapor,  that  hurried  away 
before  the  brisk  west  wind,  as  if  it  felt  even  its  own 
delicate  shadow  to  be  out  of  place  in  the  transparent 
sunshine.  The  snow  had  vanished  from  the  open 
places,  though  remnants  of  heavy  drifts  still  lay  in  hol- 
lows and  shaded  spots.  Night  brought  commonly  with 
it  frost  intense  enough  to  seal  up  the  rivulets  that  had 
trickled  in  every  direction  during  the  day,  and  convert 
into  a  dense  rime  all  the  vapor  that  had  not  been 
driven  seaward  by  the  strong,  cool  winds  that  blew 
from  the  still  ice-bound  bosom  of  the  interior.  But 


A   TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        371 

the  days  were  bright  and  warm,  and  night  came  at- 
tended by  hosts  of  stars,  twinkling  in  silvery  lustre  in 
the  pellucid  and  deep-blue  sky. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  afternoon,  Captain  Dee 
and  William,  and  Sam  Shirk  and  his  wife,  who  were 
invited  to  join  the  family  circle  on  this  occasion, 
and  Mr.  Morrison,  the  clergyman  whose  quiet  but 
useful  labors  supervised  the  spiritual  concerns  of 
the  little  neighborhood,  made  their  appearance  by  pi'e- 
vious  appointment.  A  few  brief  but  solemn  words 
made  James  and  Mary  man  and  wife,  in  conformity 
with  the  unostentatious  ritual  of  Puritan  simplicity. 
The  bridal  party  then  sat  down,  at  a  profusely  laden 
tea-table,  to  the  last  meal  in  the  old  house,  so  inti- 
mately connected  with  the  memories  of  their  past  lives. 

A  tinge  of  melancholy  generally  pervades  even  what 
we  consider  the  most  joyous  events  of  life.  Memo- 
ries and  associations  throw  their  lengthened  shadows 
from  the  past;  and  a  dim  sense  of  the  mutability 
and  chances  of  human  existence  checkers  the  bright- 
est anticipations  of  present  happiness.  The  far-off  cloud 
interposes  between  us  and  the  sun.  A  subdued  seri- 
ousness took  irresistible  possession  of  the  family  party. 
The  little  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  bride  alone  ex- 
hibited the  careless  hilarity  of  a  festive  occasion,  or 
did  justice  to  the  ample  supply  of  good  things  that 
graced  the  board.  When  even  their  eager  appetites 
were  sated,  a  moment  or  two  of  silence  marked  the 
conclusion  of  the  repast.  Grave  reflections  of  various 
character  stole  quietly  over  all  those  hearts,  bound  to 
each  other  by  the  strongest  and  closest  ties  of  human 
love.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilmot  looked  at  their  daughter, 
and  remembered  that  the  flower  so  carefully  nurtured 
in  their  own  garden,  had  been  transplanted  forever  to 


372  SAM  SHIRK: 

a  new  home,  and  intrusted  to  chances  beyond  the  fond 
control  that  had  watched  over  her  childhood.  Mrs. 
Butler  sat  at  her  end  of  the  table,  the  post  of  honor 
and  responsibility  so  long  occupied,  and  now  to  be  sur- 
rendered to  her  son's  wife,  absorbed  in  reflections  far 
deeper  than  the  usual  current  of  her  equable  tempera- 
ment. Her  fancy,  usually  so  quiescent  in  the  calm 
routine  of  every-day  life,  was  startled  out  of  its  nest 
and  fluttered  vaguely  and  dreamily  over  the  half- 
forgotten  past ;  picturing  to  her  her  husband,  sitting, 
in  the  comeliness  of  youth,  where  now  sat  his  son 
and  legitimate  representative,  and  herself,  a  timid  girl, 
happy  to  nestle  confidingly  within  his  manly  arms. 
Briefly  she  ran  over  the  quiet  history  of  her  mar- 
ried life,  ending  with  the  sad  day  when  she  had  last 
looked  upon  the  face  of  him  who  had  been  to  her 
almost  the  whole  world  ;  and  fell  back,  as  she  had 
done  on  that  day  of  overwhelming  grief,  upon  the 
only  and  darling  child,  that  had  filled  the  void  in  her 
fond  idolatry.  As  these  half-sad,  half-happy  recollec- 
tions exhausted  themselves,  her  eyes  fixed  upon  the 
external  surroundings  of  the  life,  so  uneventful,  yet  so 
engrossing  to  her.  She  went  carefully  over  the  out- 
lines of  the  familiar  room,  just  as  she  had  once  pain- 
fully scanned  the  features  of  her  dead  husband,  treas- 
uring up  in  her  memory  even  the  scratches  and  bruises 
of  time,  that  had  so  long  annoyed  her  thrifty  house- 
wifery. 

James  pushed  his  chair  slightly  from  the  table,  a 
shade  of  repressed  emotion  disturbing  his  features  for 
a  moment,  and,  while  his  young  wife  looked  up  into 
his  steadfast  face  with  ill-concealed  anxiety,  broke  the 
silence  which  was  becoming  painful. 

"  Mother,  you  are  thinking  of  the  old  house  which 


^1    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        373 

has  been  our  home  so  long ;  and  much  reason  we  all 
have  to  recall  all  we  have  experienced  under  its  roof. 
But  everything  must  change  and  does  change  in  this 
world ;  and  in  place  of  that  which  my  father  built  for 
his  day  and  generation,  I  have  built  another  more  suit- 
able to  present  circumstances.  It  will  be  the  dearest 
wish  of  Mary  and  myself,  mother,  that  you  shall  never 
regret  the  change.  But  there  is  change  in  other  mat- 
ters than  houses  ;  and  you  must  not  think  me  wanting 
in  respect  or  affection  for  j'ou,  dear  mother,  if  I  feel 
it  right  to  do  some  things  contrary  to  the  notions  you 
have  been  accustomed  to.  If  I  should,  you  will  never 
doubt  my  reverence  and  love  for  you,  will  you  ?  " 

The  widow  awoke  from  her  reverie,  as  James  ad- 
dressed her,  but  only  to  stare  at  him  awhile  in  utter 
perplexity.  After  a  moment  of  consternation  at  so 
grave  a  question,  she  seized  upon  the  last  idea  of 
James's  long  exordium  and  eagerly  replied,  — 

"  O  !  no,  my  son,  I  never  would  believe  you  did  not 
love  me.  If  I  did,  I  should  die." 

"  Well,  mother,  we  are  safe,  then,  on  both  sides. 
But  I  intend  to  do  to-night  what  some  of  our  good 
neighbors  will  think  an  awful  thing,  and  I  am  afraid 
you  may  be  inclined  to  think  so  too." 

"  O  dear !  my  son,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  I  mean  simply,  dear  mother,  that  I  have  kept  up 
the  carpet  from  the  floor  of  the  large  parlor,  that  our 
young  friends  may  enjoy  a  good  dance  to-night." 

"  A  dance  !  "  murmured  she  in  renewed  dismay. 
Had  her  son  announced  a  deliberate  design  to  commit 
a  murder,  the  bewilderment  expressed  in  his  mother's 
face  could  not  have  been  greater.  Again  she  faintly 
ejaculated  "  a  dance  ! "  and,  as  if  the  words  took  away 
her  very  breath,  sat  as  if,  like  Niobe,  she  was  turned 


374  SAM  SHIRK: 

to  stone.  After  a  vain  attempt  to  arrange  the  matter 
in  her  own  mind,  she  turned  imploringly  to  the  clergy- 
man, as  having  special  jurisdiction  in  such  a  case. 
But  Mr.  Morrison  seemed  little  less  disconcerted  than 
herself.  He,  too,  sat  with  expanded  eyes  and  mouth 
wide  open,  as  if  he  had  swallowed  his  knife  and  fork, 
and  did  not  know  what  to  do  with  them.  He  made 
no  answer  to  the  dame's  mute  appeal,  however ;  but 
left  her  to  flounder  through  the  difficulty  as  she  best 
could.  Perhaps  he  prudently  remembered  that  Butler 
was  the  richest  and  most  influential  of  his  parishioners  ; 
or  perhaps  he  was  in  the  very  common  predicament  of 
laboring  under  an  obstinate  prejudice,  for  which  he 
could  give  no  good  reason.  Whether  he  did  not  think  it 
prudent  to  speak,  or  had  nothing  to  say,  he  was  mute 
as  a  stone.  The  much  exercised  old  lady,  finding  the 
minister  himself  inadequate  to  the  emergency,  fell 
back  in  her  chair  with  a  despairing  commentary  of 
"O  my!" 

A  smile  flickered  over  Butler's  face,  which,  however, 
he  repressed  and  gravely  continued :  — 

"  I  know  you  have  been  accustomed,  mother,  to 
consider  dancing  as  a  folly,  if  not  a  sin.  But  what 
reason  have  you  for  it  ?  It  may  be  abused  like  every- 
thing else,  but  it  is,  in  itself,  a  wholesome  and  grace- 
ful exercise.  It  is  one  of  the  most  innocent  and  re- 
fined forms  of  intercourse  between  young  people  of 
the  two  sexes ;  and  both  harmless  and  agreeable. 
Moreover,  mother,  if  you  want  authority  higher  than 
mine,  you  remember  that  the  Bible  says  that  it  was 
even  a  religious  exercise,  and  used  as  a  manifestation 
of  worship  and  thanksgiving.  David  himself  danced 
before  the  ark.  But  common  sense  settles  the  ques- 
tion sufficiently.  I  imagine  that  the  puritanic  preju- 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        375 

dice  against  it  arose,  partly  from  its  association  with 
dissolute  companionship,  and  partly  from  the  old,  sour 
idea  of  self-mortification  ;  as  if  self-denial  were  of  any 
merit  without  a  sufficient  reason  and  a  useful  purpose. 
In  any  other  case,  it  is  not  virtue,  but  mere  folly  ;  and 
leads  not  to  righteousness,  but  only  to  self-righteous- 
ness, —  the  most  intolerable  of  faults.  It  is  our  duty 
to  be  as  happy  ourselves  and  make  our  neighbors  as 
happy  as  we  can,  innocently.  The  boys  and  girls  will 
dance,  mother ;  and  they  ought  to  dance.  Let  them 
do  it  honestly  and  openly,  under  the  guardianship  of 
social  decorum,  and  not  in  corners  where  mischief  may 
creep  in,  and  where  the  degrading  sense  of  conceal- 
ment must  injure  self-respect.  So,  mother,  I  mean  to 
give  our  friends  an  opportunity  to  amuse  themselves, 
and  myself  an  opportunity  to  express  my  opinion  on 
a  somewhat  important  social  question.  I  hope  I  have 
the  pleasure  of  Mr.  Morrison's  concurrence,"  —  added 
Butler,  with  a  sly  and  half-comic  glance  at  the  par- 
son, but  going  on  without  waiting  for  his  answer, — 
"  so,  Mary,  I  shall  expect  to  dance  the  first  dance 
with  you,  unless  mother  will  honor  me  with  her  hand, 
in  which  case  I  must  leave  you,  for  that  time,  to  your 
own  merits."  Thus,  with  a  smile  upon  his  face  that 
very  nearly  broadened  to  a  laugh,  James  concluded 
his  speech  ;  and  they  all  rose  from  the  table. 

"  What  will  Deacon  Hardy  gay  ?  "  remarked  Mrs. 
Butler,  as  her  son  hastened  to  her  side. 

"  I  hope  he  won't  say  anything  very  hard ;  if  he 
does,  it  will  not  worry  me.  Mother,  I  am  the  repre- 
sentative of  a  man  far  wiser  and  better  than  ever  Dea- 
con Hardy  was  ;  and  I  do  not  forget  it.  Neither  will 
I  ever  forget  that  I  am  your  son." 

The  widow  turned  her  face  upon  her  child,  beaming 


376  SAM  SHIRK: 

with  pride  and  delight.  From  that  moment,  dancing 
was  at  least  venial  with  her.  Presently  James  found 
opportunity  to  whisper  to  Mary,  "  You  can't  deny 
that  my  skirmishing  has  been  successful.  Now  for  the 
main  battle." 

"  O,  I  do  not  care  for  the  rest,  James,  now  that 
your  mother  is  content." 


A    TALE  OF  THE    WOODS  OF  MAINE.       377 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

THE  bridal  party  now  prepared  to  leave  the  plain, 
small  house  that  had  so  long  been  the  home  of  their 

O 

comforts  and  pains,  their  joys  and  their  sorrows,  to  be 
ready  for  the  reception  of  their  guests  in  the  statelier 
and  more  tasteful  mansion  which  Butler  had  erected  for 
his  own  household  gods.  The  warm,  golden  glow  of 
a  clear  evening  sunset  was  lingering  upon  the  western 
sky,  and  the  tops  of  the  distant  mountains  still  shone 
brightly  and  sternly  beautiful  with  the  last  rays  of  day ; 
while,  over  the  tops  of  the  eastern  hills,  the  full  moon 
renewed  the  splendor  of  the  vacated  sky  with  a  silvery 
glory,  that  pervaded  every  particle  of  the  crisp  and 
pellucid  air  of  the  March  night,  and  which,  if  less 
powerful,  seemed  hardly  less  clear  and  magnificent 
than  the  brilliant  day  of  which  it  was  both  the  absolute 
contrast  and  the  worthy  peer. 

In  the  primitive  and  inartificial  society  of  pioneer 
communities,  the  ultimate  classifications  of  human  life 
are  undeveloped.  An  organized  train  of  servants  is 
an  impossibility,  and  "help,"  in  necessary  domestic 
arrangements,  is  a  precarious  and  somewhat  unreliable 
element.  Therefore  Mrs.  Wilmot,  assisted  by  the 
widow's  handmaiden,  remained  behind  for  a  while  to 
expedite  certain  matters  in  the  commissariat  depart- 
ment ;  while  the  remainder  of  the  party  went  over  to 
see  how  old  Jacobs  —  who  had  left  his  out-door  duties 


378  SAM  SHIRK: 

to  a  deputy,  in  order  to  take  charge  of  the  fires  and 
other  responsibilities  in  the  new  mansion  —  was  per- 
forming his  part.  When  they  reached  the  front  of  the 
house,  the  warm,  ruddy  glow  of  the  bright  fires  filled 
the  windows ;  and  the  parlor  was  brilliantly  lighted 
up  for  their  reception. 

"  Well,  mother,"  said  Butler,  "  old  Jacobs  has  proved 
himself  an  efficient  valet."  He  laid  his  hand  on  the 
lock  as  he  spoke ;  but  immediately  the  door  flew  open, 
and  Sam  Shirk,  with  beaming  face  and  a  bow  that 
would  not  have  disgraced  the  best-trained  footman, 
stood  before  them,  to  usher  them  in.  A  little  in  the 
rear  was  his  wife,  Jenny,  smiling  a  welcome  that  evi- 
dently came  warm  from  her  heart.  Both  were  dressed 
in  their  best ;  but  it  must  be  admitted  that  Sam,  in  his 
flurry,  forgot  to  remove  his  cap ;  and  the  courtesy,  in 
which  he  had  carefully  drilled  his  wife,  somehow 
slipped  out  of  the  programme.  But  these  slight  defi- 
ciencies were  unfelt  and  unnoticed. 

Butler  instantly  extended  his  hand  to  Shirk.  "  Ah, 
Sam,  you  slipped  off  this  afternoon,  and  I  did  not  know 
what  had  become  of  you.  I  meant  you  should  have 
had  your  tea  with  us.  It  was  not  a  month  ago,  Sam, 
that  you  and  Mary  and  I  took  our  supper  together 
under  the  ice  at  the  brook  up  yonder.  It  looks  rather 
more  cheerful  here,  thanks,  I  presume,  at  least  partly, 
to  yourself  and  your  wife." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  self-appointed  porter,  "  your 
mother  asked  us  to  stop  after  the  wedding.  But  Jenny 
and  I  thought  there  was  more  to  look  after  here  than 
Jacobs  could  well  attend  to ;  so  we  ran  in  to  help  him." 

"  Thank  you,  Sam ;  it  was  thoughtful  and  kind." 

"Kind!  O  James!  Mr.  Butler,  I  mean.  Don't  I 
owe  my  own  home,  my  wife,  everything,  to  you ;  and 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        379 

what  could  I  think  of  myself,  if  I  grudged  any  pains  to 
make  your  home  pleasant  to  you  and  Miss  Mary  ?  — 
and  to-night  too  "  — 

What  more  Sam's  feelings  might  have  prompted  was 
lost ;  for  the  poor  fellow  broke  down  completely.  His 
eyes  filled  with  tears  and  his  voice  choked  with  emo- 
tion. Butler  shook  again  the  hand  of  his  grateful  col- 
loquist,  and  laughingly  rejoined,  — 

"  Very  good,  Sam.  But  I  and  Mrs.  James  Butler 
—  remember,  Miss  Mary  no  longer  —  thank  you  none 
the  less.  You  and  Jenny  will  be  invaluable  to  us  to- 
night and  save  us  a  world  of  trouble.  If  you  will  un- 
dertake to  be  my  major-domo,  I  shall  feel  much  more 
at  ease,  and  my  wife  will  be  glad  to  deposit  much  of 
her  cares  with  Jenny.  Jacobs  can  see  to  keeping  up 
the  fires  ;  and  if  you  will  keep  an  eye  on  matters  in 
general,  you  will  greatly  oblige  me.  But  our  guests 
will  be  coming  before  long,  and  we  must  not  stand 
chattering  here." 

The  little  party  now  dispersed.  Butler,  with  his 
new  aid-de-camp  at  his  elbow,  went  through  the  apart- 
ments, and  settled  all  necessary  details.  The  ladies 
inspected  the  refreshment  tables  and  other  concerns 
within  their  province,  duties  which  the  skill  and  dili- 
gence of  the  thorough  housewives  who  had  presided 
over  the  preparations,  rendered  brief  and  easy. 

Presently  the  ringing  of  the  door-bell  began  to  give 
notice  of  the  arrival  of  visitors.  To  many  among 
them,  however,  such  a  contrivance  was  a  novelty  ;  for 
no  portal  in  the  village  had  before  been  provided  with 
such  an  appendage.  The  uninitiated  announced  them- 
selves by  the  more  primitive  institution  of  their  own 
knuckles ;  while,  others  yet,  introduced  themselves 
without  any  announcement  at  all ;  considering  that  a 


380  SAM  SHIRK: 

previous  invitation  and  the  assurance  of  a  welcome 
constituted  in  themselves  a  very  sufficient  arrangement, 
without  any  further  ceremony.  The  two  parlors  were 
soon  filled  with  a  numerous  company,  disposed  in  all 
the  grim  dignity  of  fidgety  restlessness  characteristic 
of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  in  miscellaneous  assemblages, 
especially  where  habit  has  not  substituted  the  artificial 
nothings  of  society  for  the  more  solid  requisites  too 
commonly  found  wanting. 

A  Frenchman  is  never  more  at  home  than  in  a 
crowd,  and  gives  himself  without  difficulty  to  what- 
ever is  going  on  around  him.  He  is  easily  satisfied, 
for  the  present  time,  both  with  himself  and  his  neigh- 
bors. But  the  Englishman  or  American  is  discontented 
and  restless  where  he  has  nothing  special  to  do ;  and 
pleasure  without  a  set  purpose  is  to  him  an  unqualified 
bore.  His  personal  independence  and  activity  do  not 
readily  mingle  with  an  idle  concourse.  He  is  too  an- 
gular to  slip  easily  through  the  throng,  too  intense  to 
content  himself  with  a  dolce  far  niente.  That  phrase 
is  not  translatable  into  English. 

In  an  unsophisticated  and  quiet  little  community, 
like  Merrifield,  this  social  embarrassment  displays  itself 
in  full  force.  Here  were  one  or  two  hundred  sensible, 
active,  earnest  people,  taken  out  of  the  sphere  of  their 
occupations  and  personal  specialities,  and  dropped  down 
where  none  of  them  could  tell  what  they  came  for,  ex- 
cept in  a  vague  sense  of  friendliness  and  companion- 
ship ;  or  knew  what  they  should  do  when  they  got 
there,  but  to  go  home  again  in  due  time. 

Rows  of  demure  old  ladies  sat  strung  along  upon  the 
sofas,  motionless  as  platoons  of  soldiers  on  parade,  with 
hands  in  their  laps,  feeling  nervously  for  the  knitting- 
work  which  was  not  there,  and  all  looking  very  much 


A    TALE   OF    THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        381 

as  if  they  were  at  a  prayer-meeting  or  a  funeral.  Now 
and  then,  as  if  in  protest  against  the  solemn  silence,  a 
remark  was  made  by  one  to  another,  embodying  some- 
thing which  everybody  knew,  and  replied  to  by  the 
only  answer  that  human  ingenuity  could  devise  to  the 
trite  and  transparent  observation.  The  outside  limits 
of  village  experience  were  soon  reached  ;  and  the  con- 
versation necessarily  sunk  into  the  desperate  resource 
of  petty  scandal.  But  what  would  you  have  ?  Those 
to  whom  it  is  not  given  to  be  eagles,  have  no  alterna- 

o  o        * 

tive  but  the  microscopic  impertinence  of  the  fly. 

The  seniors  of  the  male  sex  instinctively  gathered 
around  the  cheerful  hearths,  and  stood  about  in  the 
genial  glow,  discussing  questions  of  church,  town,  and 
business  affairs,  mostly  already  worn  threadbare  at  the 
stores  and  street  corners,  till  they  would  bear  handling 
no  longer.  Then  they  amused  themselves  with  a  phil- 
osophic and  taciturn  inspection  of  the  new  house  and 
its  furnishing,  with  more  or  less  demonstrative  calcula- 
tions of  consequences  in  the  way  of  dollars  and  cents. 

The  young  girls  grouped  themselves  into  corners, 
where  they  stood,  seemingly  unconscious,  but  really 
wide  awake  to  all  around  them,  giggling  and  nudging 
each  other,  and  ready  to  burst  out  into  innocent  riot, 
but  awed  into  a  constrained  hypocrisy  by  the  grave 
glances  that  were  now  and  then  launched  forth  from 

O 

the  stiff  rows  of  watchful  matrons.  In  spite  of  the 
piquet  guard  of  staid  mothers,  and  the  vigilant  looks, 
like  warning  shots,  forbidding  the  crossing  of  the  inter- 

o  *  o  o 

dieted  lines  of  prudish  restraint,  bright  eyes  brimful  of 
repressed  frolic  often  wandered  towards  the  doors, 
where  the  young  men  loitered,  in  awkward  irreso- 
lution, half  tempted  and  half  scared.  The  subdued 
hum  of  the  current  small  talk  on  hand  had  begun  to 


382  SAM  SHIRK: 

subside  into  a  dull,  monotonous  drone,  when  the  open- 
ing of  the  outer  door,  followed  by  a  stir  in  the  hall,  be- 
tokened some  unusually  interesting  arrival. 

The  tall,  lithe  form  of  the  young  Sachem  of  the 
Passamaquoddies  entered  into  the  room  with  the  free, 
elastic  step  of  the  forest.  The  chief  wore  a  dark  blue 
tunic,  girt  round  the  waist  with  an  elaborately  em- 
broidered belt  of  wampum.  A  silver  medal,  the  gov- 
ernmental indorsement  of  his  hereditary  rank,  lay  on 
his  manly  bosom  suspended  by  a  scarlet  ribbon.  Doe- 
skin leggings,  fringed  along  the  outer  seam,  met  his 
richly  worked  moccasins.  A  blanket  lined  with  otter- 
skins  hung  from  his  left  arm ;  and  he  carried  in  his 
hand  a  blue  cap,  edged  with  a  broad  gold  lace  and  cir- 
cled with  the  emblematic  eagle's  feather. 

O 

Well  known  as  he  was  to  all,  every  eye  was  at- 
tracted for  a  moment  by  his  picturesque  and  dignified 
appearance,  but  only  to  rest,  with  still  deeper  interest 
and  admiration,  upon  a  young  Indian  girl  that  clung  to 
his  side,  half  bewildered  by  the  novelty  of  the  scene 
around  her.  Slender,  graceful,  and  pliant  as  a  reed, 
the  dark,  short  cloak  lined  with  sable-skins  and  con- 
fined about  her  waist  with  a  sash,  though  it  covered 
her  figure,  could  not  hide  the  free  grace  of  her  motions, 
or  the  sinuous  and  delicate  symmetry  of  her  form. 
The  little  moccasin,  gayly  wrought  with  porcupine 
quills,  neatly  cased  a  foot  and  ankle  that  showed  the 
high-arched  and  exquisitely  moulded  contour  so  often 
seen  in  the  Indian  woman  ;  and  her  wrists  and  hands 
were  of  corresponding  delicacy.  Her  lovely  face  re- 
called the  somewhat  harsh  outline  of  aboriginal  physi- 
ognomy only  in  the  severely  pure  and  clean-cut  pro- 
file of  her  features.  Her  dark  eyes,  of  a  soft,  lustrous 
brilliancy;  long,  straight, 'raven-black  hair,  and  pearly 


A   TALE  OF   THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        383 

teeth,  relieved  the  tawny  skin,  so  as  to  make  it  a  beauty, 
in  its  own  peculiar  way,  rather  than  a  defect;  espe- 
cially when  the  bright  flush  of  emotion  mantled,  dis- 
tinctly but  subduedly  visible,  through  the  clear  and  del- 
icate though  dark  complexion.  This  deep-hued  flower 
of  the  woods  was  indeed  surpassingly  beautiful,  in  the 
particular  type  of  her  race.  The  whole  effect  was  of 
a  wild  loveliness,  as  of  some  half-divine  nymph  of  the 
forest,  a  hamadryad  of  Grecian  poetry,  done  in  dusky 
marble. 

A  low  murmur  of  admiration  followed  the  hush  of 
surprise  that  first  greeted  the  appearance  of  these  two 
splendid  children  of  Nature,  —  perfect  in  the  graces  of 
their  unconstrained  development,  yet  removed  by  dig- 
nity of  station  and  an  appreciation  of  the  general  prin- 
ciples of  a  more  refined  civilization,  from  the  rudeness 
and  squalor  of  savage  life. 

The  Sachem  advanced  a  few  steps  into  the  room, 
with  his  timid  and  beautiful  companion  nestling  close 
to  his  side,  as  a  partridge  hides  under  the  shelter  of  a 
bush.  Butler  saw  and  advanced  to  meet  him,  with 
extended  hand. 

"  Wishcomet,  my  friend,  you  are  welcome  to  my 
house  always,  and  especially  to-night.  You  got  my 
message,  then  ?  " 

"  Yes.  Succobash  brought  faithfully  to  his  chief 
your  errand.  And  "Wishcomet  knows,"  added  the 
young  chief  proudly,  "  that  his  own  wigwam  is  always 
open  to  his  white  friend ;  and  he  would  have  come  un- 
bidden, when  he  heard  that  your  heart  was  wide  open 
with  joy,  that  he  might  rejoice  with  you  at  your  wed- 
ding-feast." 

"  Right,  Sachem ;  and  this  beautiful  flower  that 
blooms  under  my  friend's  shadow  ? "  said  Butler  in- 


384  SAM  SHIRK: 

quiringly,  and  instinctively  adopting  the  natural  meta- 
phor of  Indian  speech,  as  he  looked  courteously  to- 
wards the  Indian  damsel. 

"  Yamouna  is  a  daughter  of  the  Penobscot  Sachem, 
and  is  Wishcomet's  wife,  according  to  our  customs. 
But  I  wished  to  have  been  married  by  the  same  priest 
and  at  the  same  time  with  my  friend,  for  you  have 
taught  me  of  the  white  man's  God.  He  is  the  same 
great,  good  Spirit  our  fathers  worshipped;  but  you 
know  him  better  than  we,  as  you  do  everything  else. 
Yamouna  tired  on  the  way,  and  I  am  come  too  late." 

"  Not  so,  Chief;  as  well  now  as  an  hour  or  two  ago. 
The  clergyman  is  here,  and  so  are  all  your  white 
friends.  We  will  hold  our  wedding-feast  together. 
But  first  to  refresh  yourselves. 

"  Mary,  take  this  wild  flower  to  your  room  with  you  ; 
and,  Wishcomet,  come  with  me.  Our  friends  will  ex- 
cuse us  for  a  few  minutes." 

The  new  comers  retired  with  their  kindly  hosts  to 
arrange  themselves,  leaving  the  company  to  discuss 
the  unexpected  incident  which  excited  so  great  and 
general  interest ;  for,  as  we  know,  the  young  Sachem 
was  both  respected  and  liked.  Shirk  came  near  rais- 
ing a  quarrel  with  a  youngster,  who,  bewitched  with 
the  beauty  of  the  Indian  girl,  expressed  his  opinion 
that  the  native  pair  fairly  rivaled  their  host  and 
hostess. 

"  Wishcomet's  a  grand  fellow,  and  his  little  squaw 
is  handsome  as  a  picture.  But  nobody  shall  say,  in 
my  hearing,  that  he's  equal  to  James  Butler,  or  she's 
as  handsome  as  Mary  Wilmot ;  now,  I  tell  you  that, 
Bill  Young." 

But  Bill,  thus  sharply  brought  to  account,  avowed 
his  admiration  for  the  objects  of  Sam's  idolatry  in 


A    TALE   OF   THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        385 

terms  so  hearty  and  unequivocal  as  to  appease  his 
hasty  indignation  ;  and  harmony  was  restored  again. 

It  did  not  require  long  to  adjust  the  simple  toilet 
of  the  children  of  the  woods ;  and,  after  a  slight  re- 
freshment, they  returned  to  the  expectant  company. 
Wishcomet  led  his  timid  bride  by  the  hand,  supported 
by  Mary,  while  James  stood  by  the  Sachem.  Perhaps 
no  four  beings  ever  stood  side  by  side,  embodying  a 
finer  and  more  instructive  pyschologic  lesson.  Rep- 
resentin  g  in  high  perfection  the  distinctive  types  of 
their  races,  four  human  spirits,  in  the  fresh  glow  and 
energy  of  youth,  alike  worthy,  pure,  and  true  to  their 
capacities  and  position,  alike  thorough  and  high  devel- 
opments of  excellence  in  their  appointed  sphere  ;  yet 
how  different  in  fortunes,  though  so  like  in  moral 
seeming  !  The  open,  manly,  and  broad  intelligence  of 
Butler,  buoyant  with  conscious  power  and  sparkling 
with  the  assurance  of  successful  anticipation,  contrasted 
strongly  with  the  melancholy,  concentrated,  fate-com- 
pelled intensity  of  his  Indian  friend,  —  adequate  to  its 
own  proud  consciousness,  but  bowing,'in  uncomplaining 
dignity  and  manly  stoicism,  to  an  inexorable  destiny. 
The  fair,  bright  beauty  of  Mary,  confident  in  her  own 
educated  powers,  confident  in  the  happy  and  upward 
aspects  of  all  her  surroundings,  contrasted  no  less 
strikingly  with  the  dark  perfection  of  her  sister  grace, — 
with  no  hold  on  earth,  no  hope,  no  stay  but  the  deep 
untutored  instincts  that  twined  around  a  being  noble, 
yet  nearly  helpless  as  herself,  whom  she  loved  with  the 
untaught  love  of  woman.  It  was,  on  one  side,  like  the 
rosy  calm  morning,  surely  brightening  to  the  full  noon  ; 
on  the  other,  the  rich  splendor  of  the  evening  sky, 
shadowed  and  saddened  by  fast  approaching  darkness. 

What    human   insight   can   comprehend   the   vast 


386  SAM  SHIRK: 

schemes  and  deep  mysteries  of  Providence  !  The 
feeble  light  of  our  intelligence  often  serves  but  to  be- 
wilder and  mislead  our  anxious  speculation.  So  far 
from  holding  steadily  the  balance  of  right  and  wrong, 
our  utmost  comprehension  only  suffices  to  tell  us  that 
whatever  is,  is  ;  our  deepest  investigation,  but  blindly 
to  prove  that  "  whatever  is,  is  right." 

Mr.  Morrison  arose,  as  did  the  whole  company,  as 
the  bridal  party  took  its  station.  After  a  short  and 
touching  prayer,  —  for  though  somewhat  straight-laced, 
he  was  a  man  of  kindly  feelings  and  some  respectable 
degree  of  intellect,  —  the  clergyman  pronounced  the 
brief  words  that  tie  the  sacred  bond,  upon  which  the 
personal  sympathies  and  the  duties  and  interests  of  two 
lives  are  to  be  woven. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremony,  Butler  cordially 
shook  hands  with  the  new  couple,  while  Mary  kissed 
>  the  bride  affectionately.  "  Wishcomet,"  said  James, 
"  it  is  hardly  a  month  since  you  and  I  were  fighting 
the  Iroquois  together  ;  and  glad  enough  was  I  to  have 
you  at  my  side  then.  You  must  stay  with  us  awhile, 
and  help  us  to  enjoy  ourselves  now,  you  and  Ya- 
mouna." 

The  young  chief  returned  his  friend's  grasp,  and 
replied,  "  We  will  stay.  The  bread  of  our  friends  is 
sweet  to  us."  He  then  made  a  signal  to  Shirk,  who 
thereupon  brought  him  a  neatly  rolled  package.  The 
Sachem,  unfolding  it,  held  up  a  rich  robe  of  soft,  glossy 
sable-skins,  which  he  gently  laid  with  a  bow  over 
Mary's  shoulders.  He  also  handed  at  the  same  time 
to  his  wife  a  pair  of  moccasins,  richly  worked  with  por- 
cupine quills  and  lined  with  the  same  rare  fur,  from 
the  interior  of  the  parcel,  which  she  presented  with  a 
shy  smile  to  Butler.  Mary  acknowledged  the  gift  of 


A  TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.        387 

the  chief  by  another  kiss  to  his  young  wife  ;  while 
Butler,  as  he  restored  the  tasteful  presents  to  the  care 
of  Sam,  expressed  his  own  thanks. 

"  Many  thanks,  Wishcoraet,  for  your  beautiful  and 
friendly  gifts.  Mary  and  I  have  something  which  we 
shall  by  and  by  ask  you  and  Yamouna  to  take  from  us, 
to  keep  bright  the  recollection  of  our  mutual  regard. 
But  now,  Chief,  for  the  wedding  festivities,  yours  and 
mine.  My  people,  like  yours,  dance  when  their  hearts 
are  glad,  as  indeed  do  all  the  peoples  of  the  earth. 
Will  you  and  Yamouna  help  us  lead  the  way  for  our 
friends  ?  These  contra- dances  are  simple ;  and  you 
will  easily  follow  us,  if  you  will  forgive  our  taking  the 
lead  to  show  you  the  figure.  Then,  when  our  guests 
have  earned  their  appetites,  we  will  have  some  supper ; 
and  you  shall  retire  to  rest  or  remain,  as  you  may 
please,  with  this  travel-worn  tender  one." 

The  chief  nodded  assent,  and  Mary  and  Butler  led 
the  way  towards  the  folding-doors  that  opened  into  the 
hitherto  closed  drawing-room.  Sam  Shirk  slid  back  the 
doors  at  Butler's  intimation  ;  and  the  large,  well-pro- 
portioned room  was  disclosed  to  the  admiring  gaze  of 
all,  flashing  with  an  inspiriting  brilliancy,  that  glowed 
and  sparkled  from  the  crystal  pendants  of  a  handsome 
chandelier  which  hung  from  its  ceiling.  A  very  tol- 
erable orchestra  of  two  violins  and  a  flute  struck  up  a 
lively  measure  ;  and  at  the  same  moment,  a  youngster, 
previously,  but  privately,  commissioned  for  the  pur- 
pose, proclaimed  in  a  loud  voice,  — 

"  Young  gentlemen,  please  select  your  partners  for 
a  contra-dance." 

The  scene  might  then  well  have  arrested  the  eye 
of  a  Hogarth.  The  young  people  seemed  inspired,  at 
once,  with  some  irresistible  spell  of  hilarity  and  activ- 


388  SAM  SHIRK: 

ity.  The  frost  of  awkwardness  and  restraint  melted 
away.  The  young  men  that  had  been  hanging  about 
bashfully  in  by-places,  dashed  eagerly  into  the  throng, 
anxious  to  secure  a  favorite  partner.  The  damsels 
ceased  their  uneasy  giggling  and  fidgetty  nestling,  and 
awaited  in  fluttering  expectancy  the  fulfillment  of 
smothered  hopes  and  fears.  But  generally,  every 
Jack  found  his  Gill ;  and  a  happy  crowd,  with  their 
hearts  full  of  the  strongest  and  most  genial  feelings 
of  human  nature,  followed  their  leaders  to  the  bright 
scene  of  that  pleasure,  whose  outward  manifestation 
was  underlaid  with  the  deep  and  natural  tendencies 
of  youth  and  joy. 

But  this  unexpected  episode  did  not  affect  all  the 
spectators  alike.  We  have  already  said  that  the  inno- 
cent amusement  of  dancing  lay  decidedly  under  the 
ban  of  Puritan  asceticism.  Among  the  graver  por- 
tion, even  of  the  last  generation,  it  was  accounted,  if 
not  one  of  the  chief  devices  of  the  devil,  at  least 
very  far  from  Scriptural  rectitude.  A  certain  portion 
of  the  company,  therefore,  found  themselves  in  a  grave 
dilemma. 

Deacon  Hardy  sat  grim  and  defiant  in  his  chair, 
like  a  man  entrapped  but  not  conquered,  a  picture  of 
outraged  sanctity.  The  junior  deacon  looked  at  his 
colleague  and  endeavored  to  model  his  countenance 
after  the  severe  gravity  of  his  senior's  face ;  while  the 
clergyman  cast  his  eyes  upon  the  floor  in  a  desperate 
non-commitalism,  awaiting  the  issue  of  events.  Old 
Mrs.  Butler  anxiously  watched  all  three  of  the  digni- 
taries of  the  church,  and,  seeing  no  outward  manifes- 
tation of  opposition,  concluded,  in  her  innocent  simpli- 
city, that  everything  was  right,  after  all ;  and  falling 
happily  back  upon  her  confidence  in  James's  judgment, 


A   TALE  OF  THE   WOODS  OF  MAINE.         389 

went  to  look  upon  the  dance,  a  sight  she  had  hardly  ever 
before  seen  in  her  life.  The  responsible  parties  to  the 
offense  being  thus  withdrawn  and  clearly  gone  over  to 
the  enemy  of  souls,  the  dissentients  were  perforce 
compelled  to  confine  themselves  to  a  helpless  inter- 
change of  low  and  muttered  condolences  and  testimo- 
nies of  horror  and  dismay,  that  worried  nobody  but 
themselves.  Decent  courtesy  to  their  entertainers, 
surprise  and  a  mortifying  sense  of  being  outwitted,  as 
well  as  the  important  fact  that  they  could  devise  no 
tenable  ground  of  condemnation,  effectually  repressed 
any  open  resistance  to  the  bold  innovation.  They 
were  defeated  before  they  knew  the  battle  was  upon 
them.  The  enlivening  strains  of  the  music  and  the 
brilliant  show  and  joyous  merriment  of  the  ball-room 
combined  with  curiosity  to  draw  almost  everybody 
to  the  scene  of  festivity,  and  committed  them  to  the 
complicity  of  passive  spectators,  if  not  to  the  sin  of 
participation  in  the  offense.  Once  within  the  range 
of  the  fascination,  nature  and  common  sense  did  the 
rest.  The  dignity  and  gentlemanly  ease  of  Butler, 
the  grace  of  Mary,  the  free,  elastic  motion  of  Wish- 
comet  and  his  beautiful  young  bride,  the  decorous 
pleasure  of  all,  even  the  uncouth  and  immeasurable 
delight  evinced  in  the  boisterous  movements  of  the 
less  practiced  performers,  afforded  small  ground  for 
censure  or  criticism.  Soon  mothers  began  to  follow, 
with  interest  and  pride,  the  graceful  evolutions  and 
youthful  buoyancy  of  blooming  daughters,  and  even 
to  initiate  quietly,  in  their  maternal  bosoms,  private 
speculations  upon  life-partnerships.  Even  hard-faced 
and  practical  fathers  thought  once  more,  as  they 
watched  a  manly  son,  of  the  soft  emotions  or  ardent 
and  headlong  passions,  that,  in  days  gone  by,  had 


390  SAM  SHIRK: 

thawed  through  the  icy  frigidity  of  New  England  form- 
alism, and  grew  younger  and  happier  for  the  thought. 
When  the  music  ceased,  a  low  buzz  of  satisfaction  and, 
as  it  were,  of  general  congratulation,  followed  the  re- 
tiring couples  ;  and  when  Butler  led  his  wife  to  her 
seat,  he  whispered  in  her  ear,  — 

"  What  do  you  think  now,  Mary  ?  The  day  is  won 
without  even  the  show  of  a  fight." 

"  O,  you  have  outdone  both  Washington  and  Frank- 
lin," was  the  laughing  reply. 

In  truth  the  victory  was  complete.  When  the 
dancing  was  resumed,  every  one  that  had  the  smallest 
skill  in  the  graceful  mysteries  of  Terpsichore,  —  with 
some,  it  must  be  confessed,  who  seemed  to  have  been 
heretofore  strangers  to  her  temple,  —  were  speedily  on 
foot  and  eager  for  the  pleasure. 

The  older  guests,  whose  heads  had  altogether  got 
the  better  of  their  heels,  crowded  round,  amused 
and  delighted  spectators,  —  except  a  row  of  sour  old 
crones,  chiefly  spinsters  of  indisputable  standing,  and 
a  few  starched  and  unyielding  dogmatists,  like  Deacon 
Hardy.  But  dancing  had  become  an  institution  in 
Merrifield,  in  spite  of  them. 

These  complacent  worthies  kept  aloof  in  gloomy 
and  self-denying  protest ;  though  it  was  remarkable 
that  their  austerity  did  not  disdain  the  sofas  and  most 
comfortable  and  luxurious  seats.  In  dignified  ease, 
they  solemnly  shook  their  heads,  groaned  over  the  de- 
generacy of  the  times,  and  prophesied  of  the  evil  yet  to 
come  of  this  unprecedented  enormity.  But  as  nothing 
did  come  of  it,  worse  than  three  or  four  weddings, 
which  were  distinctly  traceable  to  this  evening  as  their 
proximate  cause,  these  dark  denunciations  fell  harm- 
less to  the  ground. 


A    TALE   OF  THE    WOODS   OF  MAINE.        391 

After  three  or  four  dances  had  promoted  an  appe- 
tite, a  bounteous  supper,  in  which  the  zesty  luxuries 
of  the  woods  and  brooks  were  combined  with  every 
trick  of  culinary  art  known  in  that  region,  exercised 
its  mollifying  influence  over  the  latent  irritation  of  the 
malcontents.  There  is  as  much  difference  between  men 
and  women,  before  and  after  a  plentiful  and  genial  re- 
past, as  between  a  well-fed  and  a  hungry  wolf.  The 
venerable  old  tabbies  were  softened  down  to  a  mild 
feeling  of  devout  self-righteousness,  by  the  abundant 
delicacies  and  a  copious  supply  of  tea,  and  partially 
forgot  the  sins  of  others  in  the  agreeable  contemplation 
of  their  own  virtue.  It  was  even  said  that,  when  the 
dancing  recommenced  after  supper,  Deacon  Hardy 
was  surprised  in  the  act  of  peeping  over  the  shoulders 
of  the  rearmost  of  the  crowd,  to  catch  a  sight  of  the 
merry  go-round  of  a  Virginia  reel.  Before  midnight 
the  villagers  of  Merrifield  retired  to  rest,  happier  and 
probably  wiser  than  before  ;  and  the  wedding  party 
became  a  fixed  and  imperishable  era  in  their  annals. 

Sam  Shirk  declared  the  next  day,  to  an  unanimously 
assentient  crowd  of  youths  assembled  to  discuss  the 
events  of  the  evening,  "  There  an't  no  such  man  as 
James  Butler  anywhere.  It  was  just  the  best  time 
that  ever  was  or  ever  will  be ;  and  sooner  than  not 
have  been  there,  I'd  have  given  my  rifle,  though  it's  a 
rouser,  and  all  the  one  I've  got." 


THE    END. 


